New England completes trip

LAS VEGAS — If the New England Patriots make the playoffs, their weeklong stay out west likely will be a major reason.

They remained in Arizona this past week after beating the Cardinals 27-13 on Monday night, training in Tucson. That victory put the Patriots, at 7-6, in position for the seventh and final AFC playoff spot.

Given that the first two teams just outside the postseason — the Los Angeles Chargers and New York Jets — have the same records, Sunday’s game at Las Vegas is critical, especially considering the Patriots’ closing stretch. New England’s final three games are against teams that as of now would be in the playoffs.

So instead of making two crosscountry trips in a week, coach Bill Belichick decided to save the wear on his players and have them ready when they visit the Raiders (5-8).

“It’s definitely a good thing,” quarterback Mac Jones said on Boston radio station WEEI. “It’s important to realize we’re out here to do a job. It’s great weather out here, and it’s a great opportunity to have a really good week and to carry that over to Vegas.”

The Raiders could get two major receiving options back in tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (oblique). Both returned to practice Wednesday, but coach Josh McDaniels said he didn’t know if they would be activated off injured reserve in time to face the Patriots.

“It was good to be out there with the guys,” Renfrow said. “It was fun watching them winning a couple there. Just being a part of it again is going to be a blast.”

Uche comes on strong

The AFC Defensive Player of the Week hasn’t started a game all season and even was inactive twice.

But Patriots linebacker Josh Uche is on a tear with 10 sacks in his past six games, including five in the past two weeks.

Belichick said a key for the thirdyear pro going back to the offseason was staying on the field.

“That wasn’t really the case the last two years,” Belichick said. “He’s always worked hard and always done everything you’ve asked him to do. He’s been great to coach, but I think just his availability this year has affected his production.”

That production has been the best in the NFL over this recent stretch.

“He’s always put good plays on film and good plays on the practice field, and he’s flashed,” Belichick said.

Rick Scuteri / Associated Press Patriots linebacker Josh Uche has five sacks in his past two games, and New England coach Bill Belichick said being healthy has boosted Uche’s production.