The New England Patriots will be without a huge piece against the Baltimore Ravens.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel announced on Friday that LB Robert Spillane won't play on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
Spillane leads the Patriots with 97 tackles.
"Well, I mean, you have a guy that's in the middle of the defense that isn't able to be out there right now, there's going to be some adjustments, but we can't focus on that," Vrabel said. "We focus on what the next opportunity is and what we need to do. But I don't think that would have been the answer to whatever was going on last week, if that's what you're wondering. I don't think that it would have been."
Spillane was active for the Patriots' Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but he didn't play in the game, with Vrabel saying he was available only in an emergency. Without Spillane, New England blew a 24-7 lead and lost to Buffalo at home.
"Well, I mean, I think we practiced well," Vrabel said. "And then, again, ultimately, I always say the only day that truly matters is game day. Having been through this, I've had practice weeks that probably weren't too good, and then you play well and it doesn't really matter. I've had weeks where you're like, 'Oh man, practice was great,' and you don't execute.
"And so, ultimately, what matters is how we play. And certainly, practice is important, I'm not trying to say that it's not, but try to come back in, focus on the things that we need to do to win, the game plan, the keys, their personnel and learning as a team. And so, I think we've done that and we still have time to do that."
The Patriots are 11-3 and in first place in the AFC East. Vrabel and Co. can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Ravens or if the Houston Texans lose to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday or the Indianapolis Colts lose to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.
New England is seventh in the NFL in points per game and sixth in points per game allowed.