This time last season, it was impossible to think about the New England Patriots being a playoff team. The team
This time last season, it was impossible to think about the New England Patriots being a playoff team. The team was 1-5 heading into Week 7, and any postseason dreams were long dead.
However, 2025 couldn’t be any more different so far. Entering Week 7, the Patriots are atop the AFC East with a 4-2 record and a win over the Buffalo Bills. Now, the team is preparing to take on the lowly Tennessee Titans in hopes of improving to 5-2 and maintaining their division lead.
Many expected significant improvement over last season, but significant improvement from 4-13 doesn’t necessarily mean playoffs. The Patriots sure seem like a playoff team, though, and quarterback Drake Maye was recently asked about that possibility.
“Coach Vrabel put it on the goals — winning the division, and making the playoffs, and having home playoff games. That’s been the goal in mind since we got here… If it happens to get there, that’d be some fun,” Maye said, per Patriots insider Carlos A. Lopez.
#Patriots QB Drake Maye on possibly making the playoffs:
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) October 17, 2025
“Coach Vrabel put it on the goals — winning the division, and making the playoffs, and having home playoff games. That’s been the goal in mind since we got here… If it happens to get there, that’d be some fun.” pic.twitter.com/VTjZkb2hZG
If the Patriots are going to win the division and have home playoff games, they need to take advantage of the next few games. The Patriots play the Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Atlanta Falcons next- all games in which the Patriots should be favored to win.
Much of the team’s success can be attributed to the leap taken by Maye. The young quarterback has thrown for 1,522 yards with 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions so far. Only four quarterbacks have more passing yards than Maye so far, and he’s on pace to blow past the 2,276 yards he threw for as a rookie.
Of course, the addition of Mike Vrabel as the head coach has made a difference as well. Vrabel is thought of as one of the best football minds in the league and his team is clearly buying what he’s selling.
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