The New England Patriots will conclude their 2024 season on Sunday, welcoming the Buffalo Bills to Gillette Stadium. The team would lock up the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with a loss, but — at least according to first-year head coach Jerod Mayo — will play for a win in Week 18.

To accomplish this and improve to 4-13 this season, the Patriots will rely on the following players.

Patriots Gameday Lineup: Week 18 vs. Bills

Quarterback (3): Drake Maye (10), Jacoby Brissett (7), Joe Milton III (19)

Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), Antonio Gibson (4 | KR), Terrell Jennings (26)

Wide receivers (5): Kayshon Boutte (9), DeMario Douglas (3), Kendrick Bourne (84), Javon Baker (6), Alex Erickson (14 | PR | HP increase)

Tight end (3): Austin Hooper (81), Jaheim Bell (88), Jack Westover (87)

Offensive tackle (3): Vederian Lowe (59 | LT), Demontrey Jacobs (75 | RT), Caedan Wallace (70)

Interior offensive line (5): Layden Robinson (63 | LG), Cole Strange (69 | C), Michael Onwenu (71 | RG), Lecitus Smith (68), Tyrese Robinson (65)

Inner defensive line (6): Davon Godchaux (92), Keion White (99), Daniel Ekuale (95), Deatrich Wise Jr. (91), Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), Eric Johnson (96)

Defensive Edge (3): Anfernee Jennings (33), Titus Leo (97), Truman Jones (54)

Linebackers (4): Jahlani Tavai (48), Christian Elliss (53), Sione Takitaki (16), Monty Rice (45)

Cornerback (5): Jonathan Jones (31), Alex Austin (28), Isaiah Bolden (29), Marcellas Dial Jr. (27), Miles Battle (35)

Security (5): Kyle Dugger (23), Jaylinn Hawkins (21), Dell Pettus (24), Marte Mapu (15), Brenden Schooler (41)

Specialists (3): Joey Slye (13 | K), Bryce Baringer (17 | P | H), Joe Cardona (49 | LS)

For the first time all season, the Patriots activated quarterback Joe Milton for a game. The sixth-round rookie had previously served exclusively as an emergency option on the third line; Although he dressed every week, he was declared inactive and was only allowed to play in the game if both Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett were injured.

Now that Milton is part of the matchday squad, it seems likely he will make his debut. In return, the Patriots will apparently take a preseason-like approach in their finale, potentially switching all three of their passers.

“It’s always helpful to see players who haven’t played that much during the season go out and play in a regular season game,” Mayo said this week.

In addition to Milton, the Patriots could also give several other young players on their roster an increased chance at some playing time. Players to keep an eye on include running back Terrell Jennings, wide receiver Javon Baker, tight end Jaheim Bell, offensive tackle Caedan Wallace, outside linebacker Truman Jones and cornerback Isaiah Bolden.

Patriots reserves

Inactive (6): OL Lester Cotton, CB Christian Gonzalez, RB JaMycal Hasty, TE Hunter Henry, OL Sidy Sow, TE Mitchell Wilcox (PS increase)

Training squad (9): RB Kevin Harris, CB DJ James, OT Caleb Jones, S Mark Perry, WR John Jiles, DT Marcus Harris, WR Braylon Sanders, LB Andrew Parker Jr., K John Parker Romo

International training squad (1): ED Jotham Russell

Reserve/left squad (1): OT Chukwuma Okorafor

Reserve/non-football illness (1): DT Christian Barmore

Injured reserve (11): OL Jake Andrews, WR JaQuae Jackson, ED Oshane Ximines, LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, C David Andrews, LB Curtis Jacobs, DT Jaquelin Roy, CB Marcus Jones, C Ben Brown, S Jabrill Peppers, WR Ja’Lynn Polk

New England made some additions to its injured reserve list on the eve of the season finale, removing Ben Brown (concussion), Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) and Ja’Lynn Polk (shoulder) from the active roster. With Curtis Jacobs not activated, the 2024 season will end with a total of 12 players on an injured reserve list.

The Patriots’ season finale against the Bills will kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium.