Drake Maye of the New England Patriots reacts after losing to the Tennessee Titans
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Drake Maye of the New England Patriots reacts after losing to the Tennessee Titans
New England Patriots fans are rolling into Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season firmly planted on cloud nine. With a new head coach the region is proud of, and a quarterback they can get behind, it’s been nothing but a wave of good news since the Summer began.
However, with just five days until this squad sets out to prove it on the first Sunday of the season, NFL.com’s lead writer Eric Edholm isn’t yet sold on the squad that he ranked 22nd in the league.
“My summer-months optimism has cooled a tiny bit amid some signals that this remains an incomplete situation,” Edholm begins. “I’m still pushing my chips in on Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye, New England’s two best assets right now, and the schedule looks quite favorable in a few respects.”
He cites the recent roster shakeups as the reason why concerns linger over the team that finished 4-13 eight months ago.
“Yet the roster churn has continued into the preseason, carrying over from a busy summer of refurbishing,” the writer continues. “My read on the situation, after the Patriots let another veteran go in Jabrill Peppers, is that they’re still a few steps away from where Vrabel wants to be. He’s clearly not afraid to move on from players who might be able to play but are deemed poor fits in the system.”
That being said, he concludes on a high note, saying the optimism is not unfounded in New England.
“There’s optimism, and I think the rookie class will help immensely, but I am hedging just a bit on predicting a full-on breakout in 2025,” he concludes.
Three Spots Above Week 1 Opponent
The Pats will host offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ former team, the Las Vegas Raiders, at 1 PM this Sunday in Foxboro. While they lose the weather advantage, the home stands will be rocking for game one of the Mike Vrabel era.
The Raiders will bring a new coach of their own as Peter Carroll begins his attempt at an NFL rebirth. But Edholm isn’s sold on Carroll’s unit, putting them at 25th in the league wide rankings.
“The Raiders have only been in Vegas since 2020, and this is their fourth coaching staff since the move. Soon to be 74 years old, Pete Carroll also happens to be the league’s oldest head coach, although few would know it from his energy level,” Edholm began.
“I’m hitting the brakes until I see what this unit is made of. Maxx Crosby is a beast, no doubt, but there are worrisome spots in multiple places on that side of the ball.”
AFC East Got No Love
If the Patriots’ ranking was disrespectful, stronger adjectives are needed to describe the landing spot of two other team’s in the division.
The Miami Dolphins enter in this year’s 24th spot. Citing the pressure put on this entire roster, and coaching staff alike, as a reason this iteration in South Beach might implode.
And the New York Jets got the worst of it, finishing below the Carolina Panthers and earning the 30th spot. He says the game plan for the Jets will basically be running the football or bust. Going on to say if the physicality on the field does not match the physicality required from new head coach Aaron Glenn’s game plan, it could be a long season.