Under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the New England Patriots are looking for a speedy turnaround, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter thinks they will get it.
In the most recent episode of “The Adam Schefter Podcast,” which aired on Thursday, Schefter examined the schedules of all 32 NFL teams. The reporter believes the Patriots have a really weak slate, as do many others.
Schefter said the Patriots would be one of the surprise teams of the 2025 season after examining New England’s schedule.
“I’m gonna make a prediction here right now: The Patriots are gonna win more games this year than people realize. They’re gonna be a better team this year than people realize,” Schefter said. “They had a strong draft, loaded up, and Mike Vrabel knows how to get his team ready and compete. That’s why they made the move. I believe the Patriots will be one of the surprise teams this year.”
Schefter then agreed that the Patriots could even be a playoff team. He compared them to the Washington Commanders, who went 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship Game last season after going 4-13 the year before.
“They are, to me, what the Commanders were last year,” Schefter said. “I know Jayden Daniels was stepping in, but the Commanders gave the Eagles a run. I could see the Patriots doing the same with the Buffalo Bills this year.”
On paper, the Patriots do not have a difficult schedule. They should have an opportunity to get off to a strong start with home games against the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers in three of the first four weeks. Things should get a bit tougher later in the year, but other beatable non-division opponents include the New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons.
The team that Vrabel inherited finished 4–13 in each of the previous seasons. The former Titans coach has already proven he can succeed in the NFL, despite the varied reactions to his first statement to the squad.
A postseason run in New England is not out of the question if Drake Maye has a strong second season.
