Week 17 may not have gone the way the Patriots were hoping, but despite a loss to the Dolphins, the Patriots are headed to the playoffs. Next week, the team will host the Titans in the first round of the playoffs, and after Sunday's game, Patriots players were focused on the next challenge.
They made it clear they would learn from the Dolphins game, and making the playoffs is not something they take for granted. With clarity and motivation, the guys have set the tone for the next week.
Here is what they had to say after the game.
James White
"We are still in the playoffs, and everything we want is still in front of us."
Matthew Slater
"We have to do everything in our power to recover and prepare and be excited about our opportunity. Let's not mope around and feel sorry for ourselves, we are in the playoffs. Our team has worked hard, and we should be appreciative of where we are."
Elandon Roberts
"It is a blessing to be in this position, and we will just come back and work tomorrow."
Devin McCourty
"We've got to dig deep this week. We've got to look ourselves in the mirror and get ready to go."
"Each team has their own journey, and this is our journey to go out there next week, Wild Card weekend and have an opportunity to continue to play."
The Patriots take on the Titans in Foxborough on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 8:15 p.m.
