The AFC-East leading Patriots.
Who would have thought that would be an apt description for Mike Vrabel's team six weeks into the 2025 season?
Answer: No one.
But their three-game win streak, coupled with the Bills two-game losing streak, has the Patriots sitting atop the AFC East with a 4-2 record, and lead by virtue of the tie-breaker (head-to-head competition) over Buffalo.
"We've put ourselves in a position to play meaningful games," Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said.
How about having Drake Maye as an MVP candidate in Year 2?
Who would have thought that would apply in October?
Answer: No one.
The Patriots quarterback just keeps setting new bars. He keeps raising the bar on his potential, and where it will eventually lead.
Right now, he's risen to the point of being able to elevate his team to gain wins. That ability was in evidence in Buffalo, and in New Orleans.
What does Maye see as the difference between what he was Year 1, to where he is now?
"Just another year of playing football in this league is the biggest thing. More experiences of making throws, studying opponents, studying different defenses. The guys around us," Maye said Wednesday. "We've got new guys, new players that help make my job easier. The guys up front have been playing their butts off. The guys in the pass game, we've got a lot of different guys that can make plays and can hurt the defense, so that keeps them on us. That's the biggest thing is just more experience for myself, and then the guys around me, they've been great."
The Patriots have a favorable schedule the rest of the way. It's not outlandish to believe they'll be a playoff team.
But let's not put the cart before the horse. The Titans are up next, with Vrabel going back to Tennessee for the first time since being fired there two years ago.
Vrabel & the players have been downplaying the significance of the game all week. But Vrabel's backstory is there, quietly lighting a fire.
It's the third road game in as many weeks. And another winnable game.
The players feel if they ignore the noise and the "hype train" as Maye called it, currently surrounding the team, they'll be fine.
Time will tell.
Here are some links from the week …
Is it too early to discuss the P-word for the Patriots? | Karen Guregian
Family first: Patriots coaches reveal why they followed Mike Vrabel from Tennessee
Patriots should thank Titans for Mike Vrabel, and football gods for fast rebuild
Former Patriots QB already sees special Drake Maye-Josh McDaniels connection| Karen Guregian
Patriots’ Drake Maye returns to site of ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ play
Stefon Diggs credits Mike Vrabel for Patriots’ success ahead of Titans matchup
Stefon Diggs says AFC-East leading Patriots won’t fall into first-place trap
Why Patriots coach believes ‘there is something special’ about WR group
Why Patriots WR is confident he’s establishing ‘most important thing’ for a pass catcher
Week 6 results put Patriots in a position they haven’t been since 2021
Mike Vrabel addresses Patriots approach to trade deadline
5 potential trade targets for Patriots with deadline three weeks away‘
Mike Vrabel reached out to fired Titans coach before return game
Titans fire coach days before Mike Vrabel returns to Tennessee
