"Complete dumpster fire" - Bill Simmons tears into "incompetent" Robert Kraft and Co. for playing Drake Maye vs. Bills in Patriots' season finale 

On Sunday, the New England Patriots' dismal 2024 campaign will end with a home game against the Buffalo Bills, who will field Josh Allen and their starters for a quarter or two before benching them to protect them from injury ahead of the playoffs. The hosts also plan on starting rookie quarterback Drake Maye and fielding their entire starting lineup.

Many Patriots fans, including Bill Simmons, wanted the home team to play their backups and allow the Bills to walk out of Gillette Stadium with the win and ensure they finish with the worst record in the league and get the top pick in the 2025 NFL draft. However, during his media availability on Wednesday, head coach Jerod Mayo claimed the team would prioritize winning over the top pick in Week 18.

Simmons was among those in the Patriots fandom who were frustrated about the team trying to win against the Bills' backup and risk dropping in the draft order. He voiced his vexation on X/Twitter:

"The 2024 Patriots are the worst-run Boston sports team since Paul Gaston’s last couple Celtics years. Complete dumpster fire. There’s no way Maye should play on Sunday. I honestly can’t believe the Krafts are this incompetent."

2025 NFL Draft Order: Losing against Bills could be a blessing in disguise for Patriots

The 3-13 Patriots have the joint-worst record in the league and currently sit atop the draft board. However, they could tumble if they beat the Bills in Week 18. Three other teams — the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants — have the same record as New England, while the Jacksonville Jaguars have one more win.

If all four teams lose in the final game week and the Patriots beat the Bills, they will slip to fourth at best and could slip to fifth behind the Jaguars, depending on whether their strength of schedule, the total win percentage of their opponents, is higher or lower than New England's.

If the Patriots hold the top pick, they could trade it to the highest bidder. With several teams vying to land Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, New England could get multiple lucrative picks or a combination of a high draft pick and a terrific player for their spot.

The team has many holes and it's imperative they have a good draft. Holding the No. 1 overall pick could ensure they start in a strong position. However, beating the Bills in a meaningless game and losing their leverage would be an exercise in futility for the franchise.