New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III scored the first touchdown of his NFL career on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. The rookie quarterback ran it in from a yard out to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead following the extra point.

Going into Sunday’s season finale, their 3-13 record put them in dandy position for the No. 1 pick in the entire NFL Draft. All they had to do to secure the top spot was lose to a 13-3, playoff-bound Buffalo Bills team.

The New England Patriots could turn to Mike Vrabel as their next head coach after firing Jerod Mayo on Sunday, according to The Athletic's Chad Graff and

Milton was 22 of 29 passing for 241 yards and a touchdown in his first Patriots appearance, and ran for another TD. "It was a lot of fun to watch,” veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett said.

There was no tanking from Jerod Mayo and the Patriots in Week 18, as they beat the Bills and cost the organization the top overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Week 18 provided its annual reminder that the motivations of professional football players need not be dissected. It does not matter if a loss means their team will draft first or a victory means their season will survive. If they are on the field, they will try to win. Here is what to know from the final day of the regular season:

In the 2025 draft class, Boise State star Ashton Jeanty is good, but the Titans won’t be using the No. 1 pick on a running back. Instead, the focus shifts to the quarterback position. Does Tennessee see any of the QBs in this class worthy of the top pick? Does ownership put pressure on the front office to draft a quarterback?

Owner Robert Kraft announced the firing in a statement shortly after New England closed its 4-13 season with a 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Joe Milton III passed for a touchdown and ran for another in his professional debut, and the Patriots cost themselves the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft with a 23-16 win over the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Shortly thereafter, owner Robert Kraft fired coach Jerod Mayo after one season.

The New England Patriots fired head coach Jerod Mayo on Sunday after his first NFL season in charge ended with a 4-13 record. "After the game today, I informed Jerod Mayo that he will not be returning as the head coach of the New England Patriots in 2025.