Patriots Aim to Maintain Surprising Success in AFC East

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots sit atop the AFC East with a surprising 6-2 record, marking a dramatic turnaround after two consecutive 4-13 seasons. Under head coach Mike Vrabel, the team has exceeded expectations in the first half of the 2025 NFL season.

Second-year quarterback Drake Maye has been a standout performer, drawing attention in the MVP race due to his impressive play. Many executives around the league believe Maye is a significant part of the Patriots’ resurgence.

“The quarterback is real,” one AFC executive said. “He keeps getting better and has an excellent offensive coordinator in Josh McDaniels. I’m not quite ready to pass the torch in the AFC East just yet.”

While there is optimism about the Patriots’ future, some executives caution that the team may not yet be ready to challenge dominant rivals like the Buffalo Bills. “I think they are a year away from being really good,” an anonymous AFC executive noted. “The defense isn’t all the way there yet, but the offensive line is showing promise.”

Although New England’s defense ranks fourth in scoring and ninth in total defense this season, they have faced only one Top 15 quarterback so far—Josh Allen. Entering Week 9, they hold a slight lead over the Bills for the AFC East title with a half-game advantage and the tiebreaker.

The Patriots’ remaining schedule appears favorable, as they face teams with lower winning percentages. However, improvements are needed in specific areas, particularly in their running game, where active backs average just under 75 rushing yards per game. Additionally, the offensive line shows weaknesses in critical metrics.

Despite these challenges, Maye continues to shine, ranking in the top five for passing yards, completion percentage, and passer rating. His performance is being recognized broadly, with some executives suggesting he should be considered for the MVP award.

As the season progresses, the Patriots look to build on their current success, but challenges remain ahead, and all eyes will be on how they perform in the upcoming matches.