New England's impressive performance against Buffalo's backups and third-stringers actually hurt the franchise, as the Patriots fell out of the top pick in the 2025 NFL draft and into the fourth selection. And, after the game, Patriots owner Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo, leaving the team without a head coach.

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.

The New England Patriots enjoyed decades of stability at the head coaching position, but for the third time in three seasons, they will have a new man lurking on the sidelines. That's because the team announced Sunday it has decided to part ways with Jerod Mayo after just one season on the job after succeeding Bill Belichick in Foxborough.