Drake Maye dismisses critics of Patriots’ schedule

The New England Patriots have established themselves as a real contender this yr, getting into the ultimate week of the 2025 NFL season with a 13-3 document and the AFC East division crown already secured. 

However one of many knocks in opposition to New England this season has been their lighter schedule — one which has some critics tabbing the Patriots as a possible paper tiger as soon as the playoffs start.

New England’s .383 power of schedule is final within the NFL this season, due largely to the Patriots coming off of back-to-back four-win campaigns. 

The Patriots have performed a number of groups both within the postseason or hanging across the playoff image within the Buffalo Payments (twice), Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers in 2025.

However, New England has additionally had matchups in opposition to among the worst groups within the league, together with the Titans, Raiders (a loss for New England in Week 1), Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New York Jets (twice), and Bengals.

Talking on Wednesday, Patriots QB Drake Maye brushed apart among the discourse about New England’s lighter schedule. 

“We play within the Nationwide Soccer League. Each workforce’s obtained nice gamers. They receives a commission some huge cash,” Maye mentioned. “So, it’s not like we’re taking part in, shoot, Foxborough Excessive College down the street. We play who’s on our schedule. We will’t management that. Simply making an attempt to go on the market and attempt to win. Lots of these groups that we do play are good, and so they’re within the Nationwide Soccer League for a cause.”

The Patriots’ street in 2026 will likely be much more daunting after profitable the AFC East, with a few of their opponents subsequent season together with the Broncos, Inexperienced Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and the still-underdetermined winners of the AFC North, AFC South, and NFC West. 

New England’s simpler schedule could possibly be used as a possible knock in opposition to Maye’s MVP candidacy, particularly when in comparison with the daunting NFC West that fellow MVP frontrunner Matthew Stafford has to cope with in Los Angeles.

Nonetheless, Maye presently stands because the chief within the clubhouse by way of MVP odds throughout a number of sportsbooks as of Thursday afternoon. With Stafford throwing three interceptions in a loss to the Falcons on Monday Evening Soccer, Maye is now the favourite in MVP odds on DraftKings at -295, whereas Stafford is second at +225. 

When requested about his standing as a official MVP frontrunner, Maye deflected to the workforce as an entire as the primary cause for his success. 

“It’s simply an honor,” Maye mentioned. “I’ve informed everyone, mentioned some issues within the locker room: It’s us. It’s not simply me. It’s us in that locker room. It’s actually a workforce deal, I believe. They are saying it’s a participant, however I believe wins assist that. Clearly there’s been some nice seasons across the league from numerous gamers. It’s an honor, however on the identical time we’ve obtained work to do.”

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author masking the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.