How Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Responded To Patriots’ Resiliency Down Stretch

Mike Vrabel has led the New England Patriots through some adverse conditions late in the season.

New England responded to a gut-wrenching Week 15 loss against the Buffalo Bills with a comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens. While the Patriots squandered an early opportunity to wrap up the AFC East, they can clinch the division with a Week 17 win over the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Scott Zolak asked Vrabel on their weekly “Patriots All Access” show if he considers the Patriots a resilient team. The head coach highlighted some positives he’s seen from his squad, but noted that they must keep delivering.

“Yeah, I mean, I think it is,” Vrabel said. “When you can continue to show that you can get stops on defense, or you can move the ball, or control the ball or end the game in five minutes, we’ve done that. It’s just, you have to do it each and every week … There’s a lot of good things in there, and a lot of stuff that we’ll have to continue to do.”

The Patriots are now limping toward the finish line. They ruled out several key players for Sunday’s game against the Jets and face other injury concerns heading into Week 17.

Vrabel preached a one-game-at-a-time mentality and wants everyone ready if their name is called.

“We’ll focus on what the schedule is and how we can get each guy ready that we think can play in the game,” Vrabel said. “If they can’t play in the game, then we’ll have to have a plan. The next guy will go in there, and everyone will prepare as a starter.”