New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots couldn’t have asked for a better start to Mike Vrabel’s head coaching tenure.
After two straight four-win seasons, Vrabel has the 7-2 Patriots sitting atop the AFC East. They can match their combined victory total over the last two years with a Week 10 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Another big road win could also put Vrabel in the driver’s seat to capture a significant award. ESPN’s Matt Miller predicted that the former Patriots linebacker will win Coach of the Year.
“In his first season as head coach of the team that made him a household name as a player, Vrabel has the Patriots competing for an AFC East title despite still developing a young roster that’s led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye,” Miller wrote. “As the top team in its division with a 7-2 record, New England was comfortable enough to trade defensive end Keion White and safety Kyle Dugger at the deadline for draft compensation. Turning around the Patriots in a hurry will get Vrabel a well-deserved postseason award.”
Miller’s ESPN colleague, Anita Marks, conversely forecasted a win for Shane Steichen. The Colts are also 7-2 behind a resurgent Daniel Jones.
Steichen enters Week 10 as a narrow betting favorite over Vrabel to take home Coach of the Year honors. Mike Macdonald could also emerge as a top candidate if the 6-2 Seattle Seahawks — the only team other than New England with an undefeated road record — stay sizzling hot.
Vrabel would join Bill Parcells (1994) and Bill Belichick (2003, 2007, 2010) as the third Patriots head coach to win the award. The 2021 Coach of the Year would become the second active two-time winner alongside Kevin Stefanski.
Dave Canales could also factor into the conversation by leading the Buccaneers to a statement win over the Patriots.
