2025 New England Patriots Season in Review

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  • By Jon Mosales

    Last Updated on February 5, 2026 1:17 pm by Jon Mosales | Published: February 5, 2026

    It’s impossible to talk about the Pats season without mentioning or headlining how easy their path was. The jump from 14-3 from 3-14 was a magical transition that most teams can only dream of.  They scored 200 more points than the previous Pats team and when the defense was healthy, they were impossible to run against.  They still might be great and they might win the whole thing, but this was the Yellow Brick Road on steroids and it’s almost comical when breaking down the season.  This isn’t mean to overlook how massive the strides were from two seasons ago when it looked hopeless.  The coaching upgrade was about as big as it can get as well as the o-line and the natural progression for a sophomore QB.  The facts remains indisputable that the Pats final opponent win % was .391 and they only played three teams with winning records.  They also played 11 games against teams that fired their coach which is just a funny side plot.  Despite the easy schedule, this offense was dynamic, balanced and explosive.  They averaged 28.8 PPG which was second in the NFL despite running the 18th most plays and 23rd most passing attempts. They finished 4th in passing yards, 5th in passing TDs and first yards-per-attempt.  They were also elite running the ball with ta 47-53 run-pass split and finished 6th in rushing yards and 4th in rushing TDs.  This was a juggernaut regular season team that outscored their final two opponents 80-20.  They peaked at the right time, avoided catastrophic injury and kept the ball in the hands of the potential MVP.  Sometimes the stars align and sometimes it’s actually a black hole, but so far the Drake Maye experience has been a rollercoaster that only goes up.  Time will tell if the drop will be fatal.

    The big question is how did they get here? So I will go over every game along the path to the Super Bowl and we will see if it really was paved with gold.

    Week 1: v. Las Vegas Raiders ; 13-20 Loss

    The path to the Super Bowl never looked less feasible than after this game.  It looks even more unlikely after the season the Raiders had.  The Pats were still figuring out who they were going to be and this was one of their only games without balance.  They passed 46 times and only ran the ball 18 times.  This was also the only good Geno Smith game as he nearly threw for 400 yards.  The good news was Kayshon Boutte showed he wasn’t a fluke and Stefon Diggs looked great in his first game back from an ACL tear.  The seeds were planted to be a great offense, but they needed some time to grow.    Record: 0-1 

    Week 2: @ Miami Dolphins ; 33-27 Win

    After this game, there was serious concern for the NE secondary as Christian Gonzales couldn’t stay healthy and they just gave up 300+ yards in b2b games to two QBs who might not be starters next season.  This game showed the NE depth across the board as Rhamondre Stevenson led the team in receiving and rushing yards while Maye ran for a TD.  The running defense was taking shape as a dominant unit, but there were still no signs of life from the explosive rookie RB TreVeyeon Henderson.  The team was 1-1, but it was clear Maye had the goods.   Record: 1-1 

    Week 3: v. Pittsburgh Steelers; 14-21 Loss

    Maye might win the MVP, but he didn’t look like it here.  He had two TOs while Rhamondre Stevenson also had two fumbles and this looked like a tipping point for Stevenson to lose his starting job to Henderson.  Maye led the team in rushing while Hunter Henry pulled in two TDs.  The blueprint was starting to show as Maye leads the charge and everyone else helps him along the way.  The Super Bowl never looked further away as they now had dropped two home games, but the Pats were more focused on rebuilding the culture and developing Maye at this point than anything else.   Record: 1-2 

    Week 4:  Carolina Panthers; 42-13 Win

    The Panthers had just shut out the Falcons, so a letdown was inevitable, but this was the first sign that the Pats might be for real.  The pass defense had stabilized and this three-headed rushing monster was starting to show real promise as Maye/Henderson/Stevenson all scored.  Diggs looked like he was going to be a real weapon and this NE team is a Swiss army knife that can beat you a ton of different ways.  It’s clear this team has grown up from a year ago and Mike Vrabel had them believing in themselves.  The one question that remains is, how good is Drake Maye really?  Record: 2-2 

    Week 5: @ Buffalo Bills; 23-20 Win

    If you want to talk about statement wins for a young QB, it doesn’t get any better than beating Josh Allen in Buffalo.  While Maye didn’t outplay Allen, he didn’t make any mistakes or force the issue.  Allen had a terrible INT and costly fumble and the NE defense was able to bend without breaking.  Whereas a less experienced coach might have benched Stevenson for his fumbles, Vrabel empowered him and Stevenson had two big TDs, despite only rushing for 14 yards. Diggs had a massive revenge game and the Pats team finally had a foundation and formula to win.  Stop the run, leave the ball in Maye’s hands and feed the hot hand.  This might have been the biggest post-Brady regular season win for the Pats. Record: 3-2 

    Week 6: @ New Orleans Saints; 25-19 Win

    When you talk about schedule wins, this is about as easy as it gets as Spencer Rattler was still under center.  Drake Maye was electric and his deep-ball proficiency was starting to have a legit track record.  The running game wasn’t quite firing yet, but the defense had now held teams under 20 points in three straight and the Pats were gaining momentum each week.  The run defense was so good, you dreaded starting a RB in fantasy vs. NE.  Record: 4-2

    Week 7: @ Tennessee Titans ; 31-13

    The Titans might have been the worst team in the league, but this still had let down potential after a streak of dominating performances.  Maye was starting to build his MVP resume as he now had four straight games without an INT despite airing the ball out every game.  Henderson still wasn’t popping, but the Pats still ran for 175 yards and could beat you on the ground or through the air.  40 rushing yards for TEN was gross and the Pats were officially on a roll.   Record: 5-2 

    Week 8:  Cleveland Browns; 32-13 Win

    You won’t find an easier stretch of games on any team’s schedule than the last handful, but wins are wins.  The CLE defense was supposed to be elite and was most of the time, but not here.  Maye threw his first INT in a month, but he also had 282 passing yards on only 24 attempts.  His opponent Dillon Gabriel had only 156 on 35 attempts.  The real story was when would NE lose again? The Pats ran for 177 yards and this was now one of the most balanced and explosive offenses overnight without a true star other than Maye.  Record: 6-2 

    Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons; 24-23 Win

    The Falcons weren’t great, but they weren’t pushovers either as Drake London proved that the NE defense can still be exploited through the air.  Bijan Robinson had less than 50 rushing yards and Drake Maye had another INT, but a costly missed extra point gave the Pats all the luck they needed.  Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, but being both is a dangerous combo.  TreVeyeon Henderson was getting unleashed with Stevenson hurt and it was almost a blessing in disguise.  The Pats were missing an X-factor and the rookie RB was that to a tee.   Record: 7-2 

    Week 10: @  Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 28-23 Win

    The Pats got the Buccs without Mike Evans, Chris Godwin or Bucky Irving, but Baker Mayfield was still able to sling it for three TDs.  Emeka Egbuka went off and if there is a weakness to the NE defense, it’s that they can be exploited by elite WRs.  The real story of this game was the rookie RB Henderson, who proved he’s the real deal and a future, even present start.  This is the game where NE started to look like a legit threat in the AFC and not just a team benefiting from an easy schedule.  Maye had quietly become one of the most consistent QBs in the league, throwing for at least 200 yards in every game..   Record: 8-2 

    Week 11: vs. New York Jets; 27-14 Win

    There weren’t many easier wins on the schedule than the lowly Jets and Maye threw for 280 and a TD like it was nothing.  Chalk up another three TDs for Henderson and the biggest question on the team is who is the true RB1 when Stevenson returns.    Record: 9-2

    Week 12: @ Cincinnati Bengals; 26-20 Win

    This would have to be considered one of the better wins of the season, but oh wait no Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase was suspended.  The Pats beat Joe Flacco and Tee Higgins, not quite worth a statue.  Stevenson returned, but didn’t do anything but Maye doesn’t have bad games.  Hunter Henry went off vs. the worst TE defense in NFL history.   Record: 10-2 

    Week 13: vs. New York Giants; 33-15 Win

    The Giants were a fun story, but without Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers, stopping Jaxson Dart wasn’t nearly as hard.  The Pats held the Giants to 250 total yards, Maye threw for another 280 and two TDs.  The floor for Maye each game seems to be about that which is insane as a sophomore who can also run.  It can’t be overstated how bad these defenses are.  The Buccs, Bengals and Giants were three of the worst five defenses this past season.  Record: 11-2 (1-1)

    Week 14: Bye Week
    Week 15: vs. Buffalo Bills; 35-31 Loss

    This was the borderline game of the year and it looked like Maye might have ascended to the top of QB pyramid, until Josh Allen woke up.  The Pats were up 24-7 at half and then Allen outscored them 28-7 in the second half to show that while Maye is great, he’s still raw.  The Pats ran for nearly 250 yards in this awesome, snow-filled affair.  This was the first loss in months and while it was disappointing, it wasn’t great that NE was finally tested and failed.    Record: 11-3 

    Week 16: @ Ravens; 28-24 Win

    This was a big win, but it was vs. a Lamar Jackson who got hurt.  The run defense had fallen apart with Milton Williams hurt and Derrick Henry ran wild just like James Cook the week before.  Maye showed his youth with multiple TOs, but also threw for 380 yards.  This game was fun and could have been a classic if Jackson hadn’t gotten hurt.  Finding a way to win is a skill and the Pats proved they can comeback from double-digits and shake off a bad loss.   Record: 12-3 

    Week 17: @ New York Jets; 42-10 Win

    The Jets rolled over and Maye padded his stats with five TDs.  Great teams blow out bad teams if nothing else, the Pats were great at putting their foot on the opposing team’s throat.   Record: 13-3 

    Week 18: vs. Miami Dolphins; 38-10 Win

    Different team, same result.  The Dolphins weren’t playing for anything and the Pats kept it in first gear all game and still rolled to a blowout victory.  The good news is that the Pats are healthy with an extra week to rest.  Record: 14-3)

    Playoffs

    Wild Card Round : vs. Los Angeles Chargers; 16-3 Win

    The first Maye playoff game wasn’t exactly a barnburner, but it was Justin Herbert who short-circuited again. Maye showed his inexperience with multiple TOs, but he led the team in rushing while also putting up 268 passing yards vs an elite defense. If this was to be his worst playoff game, the floor was better than Herbert’s ceiling.  The Chargers were a solid team, albeit one with a massive weakness, but a playoff win is a win.

    Divisional Round : vs. Houston Texans  28-16 Win

    This was a melt down for the ages as CJ Stroud handed the Pats the game early.  Stroud threw four picks and the Pats just sat on their lead in the second half.  The Texans had the defense everyone feared going into the playoffs, but it was the Pats who showed their grit.  Maye threw three for TDs, but still turned the the ball over three times and that clearly is his Achilles heel.  When and if the Pats do fall, it will be Maye trying to do much or turning water into wine.  It hasn’t happened yet, but you have to assume the bill will come due.

    AFC Championship : @ Denver Broncos 10-7 Win

    Winning is winning and scoring 10 points is sometimes the only way to do it.  This was a defensive battle in the snow, but it’s impossible to bury the lead of Bo Nix getting hurt and Jared Stidham stepping into his shoes.  This was a game in which Maye could have self destructed in the snowy conditions, but he played smart, held onto the ball and almost ran for more yards than he threw.  Winning ugly counts and sometimes it’s the only way to win in the playoffs.  Yes, the path was easier than most, but the Pats still had to walk it.  There won’t be any cakewalks vs. a crazy SEA defense and if the NE defense has shown a weakness, it’s going to be covering JSN.  It was a gift schedule that let the Pats get to the Super Bowl, but they will be true champions if they can dismantle the Seahawks.

     

     

    February 5, 2026, 11:15 am