New England Patriots
A number of preseason predictions for the Patriots have not aged all that effectively amid an 11-2 begin to the 12 months.
With 4 video games left on their regular-season docket, Mike Vrabel and the 2025 Patriots have already exceeded loads of expectations thus far this fall.
Even essentially the most optimistic Patriots followers had been predicting loads of rising pains in what was anticipated to be a multi-year rebuild.
As an alternative, the 11-2 Patriots are tied with the Broncos for the very best document within the NFL — and may very well be one of many high Tremendous Bowl contenders in a wide-open AFC subject this winter.
Because the Patriots wrap up their bye week and start to organize for a showdown with the Payments subsequent Sunday, let’s revisit a few of our “bold” predictions from just ahead of the start of the 2025 NFL season.
Honest to say, plenty of our “measured” predictions for Vrabel’s membership haven’t aged all that effectively.
1. Drake Maye information 30 complete touchdowns
Verdict: Wanting good!
We anticipated Drake Maye to take a second-year leap this season, even when there have been going to be some inevitable bumps within the highway when it got here to his growth.
Certain sufficient, Maye has taken that leap and established himself as one of many high QBs within the sport at this time. However, these anticipated struggles have been arduous to return by amid a season the place the 23-year-old Patriots star is taking part in like a respectable MVP candidate.
Our projected stat line for Maye this season? 26 passing touchdowns, 4 speeding scores, and 13 interceptions.
With 4 video games to go, Maye has already thrown for 23 touchdowns, 3,412 passing yards, and two speeding scores.
Maye’s elite arm power and skill to increase performs along with his legs was established final 12 months.
However, his accuracy has been really spectacular this season, with Maye finishing 71.5 p.c of his throws and solely getting knocked for six interceptions.
Loads of components have performed into New England’s standing as one of many high groups within the NFL this season.
None have held as a lot weight as Maye’s arrival as a franchise star underneath middle.
2. TreVeyon Henderson surpasses 1,000 speeding yards
Verdict: Is likely to be a stretch
This proclamation wasn’t trying too good for the primary half of the season, with Henderson struggling to search out traction regardless of standing as New England’s high participant throughout preseason motion.
However, Henderson has began to search out his footing as this season has gone on, recording six touchdowns in his final six video games and averaging 78.7 speeding yards per sport over that stretch.
Primarily based on his present tempo, Henderson is projected to complete the 12 months with 817 speeding yards and 7 speeding scores, though he might make a push for 1,000 yards if he continues his robust play down the stretch.
Even when Henderson has showcased loads of promise as a future franchise again and big-play generator, New England’s speeding sport basically has left lots to be desired.
Coming into Week 14 motion, solely three groups (Saints, 49ers, and Raiders) had been averaging fewer yards per rush try than New England’s 3.9 on the 12 months.
3. DeMario Douglas ends the 12 months with extra catches than Stefon Diggs
Verdict: Not even shut
For all the hype that Diggs carried with him getting into his first season in Foxborough, we predicted {that a} shifty slot receiver like Douglas was going to emerge as Maye’s security blanket — particularly in Josh McDaniels’ system.
At this level, Douglas (27 catches) isn’t going to meet up with Diggs, who leads New England in targets (79), receptions (64), and receiving yards (705) this 12 months.
Give credit score to Douglas, although — after being on the skin trying in on the depth chart at first of the season, he has made some clutch grabs for New England, particularly down the sector. Even along with his profile as a short-yardage slot receiver, Douglas is averaging 14.9 yards per catch this season.
4. Mack Hollins leads the group in receiving touchdowns
Verdict: Not trying good
We had Hollins rising as a trusty red-zone menace for New England given his spectacular 6-foot-4 body.
The 32-year-old wideout has been a strong add, reeling in two touchdowns and taking part in an underrated position as a blocker in New England’s wideout grouping.
However, in one other growth that few anticipated this 12 months, Kayshon Boutte has established himself as the most effective deep-ball threats thus far this season. He’s reeled in six touchdowns, 481 complete yards, and 16.6 yards per catch in 11 video games this season.
Past Boutte, Hunter Henry has as soon as once more stood tall as a dependable receiving menace for Maye with 45 catches, 610 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns on the 12 months.
One of many constructive indicators of Maye’s emergence as a harmful playmaker has been his skill to unfold out the ball. In complete, six Patriots gamers have reeled in no less than two receiving touchdowns this season.
5. Christian Gonzalez misses no less than 4 video games because of harm
Verdict: (Hopefully) improper
There have been loads of fears about Gonzalez’s availability at first of the season after struggling a hamstring harm in July.
Regardless of the ailment initially being waved off as a minor setback, Gonzalez was a no-show for the rest of coaching camp. Certainly, the All-Professional nook ended up lacking the primary three video games of the 2025 season earlier than getting cleared for Week 4 in opposition to Carolina.
Since then, Gonzalez has managed to keep away from the harm bug — and will likely be counted on down the stretch to anchor New England’s secondary.
6. The offensive line will as soon as once more be a serious challenge
Verdict: Not likely
Granted, the Patriots’ dreadful offensive line might solely go up from final 12 months’s catastrophe.
However, one among New England’s most obvious flaws over the previous couple of years has made main strides this season behind a revamped five-man unit, stronger teaching, and Maye’s skill to evade strain.
New England allowed 52 sacks in 2024 — the fifth-most within the NFL, and essentially the most sacks allowed in New England over one 12 months since 1999.
This 12 months, they’ve allowed 40 sacks via 13 video games, whereas their pass-blocking win fee of 59 p.c ranks twenty first within the league. These numbers might not leap off the web page, however New England’s play within the trenches has been a lot sharper thus far this fall.
Rookies like Will Campbell and Jared Wilson have been strong when obtainable, whereas veteran Morgan Moses has been a serious enchancment over Demontrey Jacobs at proper sort out.
However, give credit score the place it’s due. The Patriots’ O-line had one among their greatest video games of the season final week in opposition to the Giants with two backups in Vederian Lowe and Ben Brown pressed into beginning motion.
This unit nonetheless hasn’t come near reaching its ceiling. However they’ve been significantly better when in comparison with final 12 months.
7. Okay’Lavon Chaisson will likely be New England’s greatest offseason pickup on protection
Verdict: The case may very well be made
A former first-round choose who had but to place all of it collectively previous to this season, Chaisson has emerged as a potent pass-rusher thus far this fall.
By means of 13 video games, the 26-year-old edge has already set a brand new career-high with 6.5 sacks whereas each forcing and recovering a fumble.
Granted, there have been a number of gamers on New England’s protection who’ve helped elevate a unit that was routinely shredded final season. Robert Spillane has solidified a skinny linebacker corps, whereas Harold Landry impressed out of the gate as one other potent pass-rusher.
New England’s greatest pickups might need been at line of defense. Khyiris Tonga has gone from a comparatively unheralded free-agent pickup to a menace within the trenches, however Milton Williams may take the cake as New England’s most impactful defensive addition.
Williams’ stats might not be flashy (3.5 sacks, 14 solo tackles), however the high free-agent pickup has been important in clogging up operating lanes and producing strain up the center this season.
8. Patriots commerce Kyle Dugger
Verdict: Certain did
After transferring on from Jabrill Peppers earlier than the beginning of the common season, we projected that New England would later reduce ties with Dugger, who was virtually a roster reduce this summer season after failing to mesh within the Patriots’ revamped protection.
Certain sufficient, New England traded Dugger to the Steelers in October for a late draft pick — with the Patriots selecting to maneuver on from their longest-tenured participant.
With Dugger now not within the equation, the Patriots have relied closely on rookie Craig Woodson and Jaylinn Hawkins as their beginning safeties.
9. Andy Borregales settles into his position as kicker
Verdict: Appropriate
There have been loads of considerations concerning rookie kicker Andy Borregales after lacking two field-goal makes an attempt throughout preseason motion — with veteran John Parker Romo posting a stronger stat line throughout training-camp reps.
However, after a shaky begin to the season, Borregales has largely settled into his position as New England’s kicker — booting a game-winning subject objective in Week 5 in opposition to the Payments and changing on 23 of his 26 field-goal makes an attempt on the season.
10. Patriots come up in need of playoffs with an 8-9 document
Verdict: Yikes!
It stays to be seen simply how far this scrappy Patriots group goes in Vrabel’s first 12 months on the helm.
However, with 11 wins already secured and an opportunity to clinch the AFC East on the desk subsequent Sunday in opposition to Buffalo, it’s clear that we — and plenty of others — severely underestimated what this group might do that fall.
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