With a new season finally upon us, MassLive’s experts are back with their predictions for the Patriots and beyond.
Last year, three writers nailed New England’s 4-13 record, while everybody whiffed on the Eagles as Super Bowl champions. This time around, there’s a general consensus on Mike Vrabel’s final mark in his first year at the helm, but the Super Bowl LX picks are all over the place.
So how does MassLive believe 2025 will play out? Let’s get to the predictions and find out:
What will the Patriots’ record be?
Mark Daniels, Patriots beat reporter
8-9 — The Patriots should get back to respectability under Mike Vrabel. They’ll be better than last season. However, they still lack the elite-level talent needed to make a deep playoff run. All eyes are on Drake Maye’s development this season.
Karen Guregian, Columnist
9-8 — Their offensive line continues to be suspect. They’re also thin at too many positions, namely left tackle, linebacker, safety, tight end, and quarterback. (Sorry, Tommy Cutlets). On the flipside, the Mike Vrabel vibe is real. Add in Year 2 Drake Maye, a few more weapons, and a revamped defense, that should get them to nine wins.
Matt Vautour, Columnist
8-9 — There are two related, but somewhat independent, factors to consider with the Patriots. 1. Are they significantly improved? 2. How lousy is their schedule? I think the Patriots will be better and I think they’ll be stalking a playoff spot fairly deep into the year because the AFC is pretty lousy. At the end, I think their lack of depth in key spots prevents them from clearing the hurdle.
Chris Mason, Sports enterprise reporter
8-9 — Good teams are talented. Great teams are deep. As the Patriots look to jumpstart their rebuild under Mike Vrabel, there are some talented pieces to get excited about — Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez, TreVeyon Henderson etc. — but the lack of depth on the roster after years of poor drafting keeps them out of the postseason.
Lauren Campbell, Sports reporter
8-9 — The Patriots made offseason moves that will help get them moving in the right direction after consecutive 4-13 seasons. But there are still roster questions, including the status of cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. There also isn’t a lot of depth at key positions left tackle, linebacker, tight end and even quarterback, meaning New England is one injury away from making things even more difficult in a tough division.
Jim Pignatiello, Senior Director/Sports and Content
9-8 — The Patriots’ lack of depth keeps them from making the playoffs (barely) but New England enters the 2026 season as the trendy dark horse contender pick. Drake Maye finishes the 2025 season as the clear No. 2 quarterback from his draft class behind Jayden Daniels.
AFC Division Winners
Daniels: Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City
Guregian: Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City
Vautour: Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City
Mason: Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City
Campbell: Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, Denver
Pignatiello: Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City
AFC Wild Cards
Daniels: Cincinnati, L.A. Chargers, Pittsburgh
Guregian: Cincinnati, Denver, L.A. Chargers
Vautour: Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Denver
Mason: L.A Chargers, Cincinnati, Denver
Campbell: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Kansas City
Pignatiello: Miami, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas
AFC Championship Game
Daniels: Kansas City over Baltimore
Guregian: Baltimore over Buffalo
Vautour: Buffalo over Baltimore
Mason: Buffalo over Cincinnati
Campbell: Buffalo over Baltimore
Pignatiello: Kansas City over Buffalo
NFC Division Winners
Daniels: Philadelphia, Detroit, Tampa Bay, San Francisco
Guregian: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, San Francisco
Vautour: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, L.A. Rams
Mason: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, L.A. Rams
Campbell: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, San Francisco
Pignatiello: Philadelphia, Green Bay, Atlanta, San Francisco
NFC Wild Cards
Daniels: Washington, Minnesota, Seattle
Guregian: Washington, Detroit, L.A. Rams
Vautour: Detroit, San Francisco, Washington
Mason: San Francisco, Detroit, Minnesota
Campbell: Minnesota, Arizona, Washington
Pignatiello: Detroit, Minnesota, Los Angeles Rams
NFC Championship Game
Daniels: Detroit over Philadelphia
Guregian: Green Bay over Philadelphia
Vautour: Philadelphia over Green Bay
Mason: Philadelphia over Green Bay
Campbell: San Francisco over Minnesota
Pignatiello: Green Bay over Philadelphia
Super Bowl LX
Daniels: Detroit over Kansas City
Guregian: Baltimore over Green Bay
Vautour: Buffalo over Philadelphia
Mason: Buffalo over Philadelphia
Campbell: San Francisco over Buffalo
Pignatiello: Green Bay over Kansas City
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