NFL Executive Says Patriots Are A ‘Good,’ Not ‘Great’ Team

The New England Patriots (5-2) are one of just three AFC teams with at least five wins.

They’re tied with the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos for the longest current win streak in the NFL at four victories in a row.

The Patriots have the best road record in the league (4-0) and are ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in offense at 25.9 points per game (ninth) and defense at 19.0 points allowed per contest (fifth).

Still through six weeks of the season, one anonymous executive is calling New England a “good” team, not a “great” team.

“New England looks hungry. The Patriots and Kansas City are the only teams to rank among the NFL’s top 10 in EPA per play on both sides of the ball this season. … Times are changing, although more evidence is needed, as four of New England’s victories were against Miami, Carolina, New Orleans and Tennessee,” Mike Sando of The Athletic wrote. “‘They are a good team,’ an opposing exec said of the Patriots. ‘I do not think they are a great team, but here is what they do not do: beat themselves. That is the nature of that coach (Vrabel). There is a fear factor of accountability.'”

Second-year quarterback Drake Maye has officially entered the MVP conversation, the Patriots are threatening to win the AFC East for the first time since the 2019 season and break a three-year playoff drought.

It’s true, however, that New England has been gifted with an easy first-half schedule. The Patriots have (mostly) taken care of business against inferior opponents though, and that’s all you can ask for.

New England’s doesn’t have a difficult game (on paper) coming up until Week 10 when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.

The Patriots sandwich that matchup with tilts against the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons in Weeks 8 and 9 and the winless New York Jets and Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals in Weeks 11 and 12. New England then faces the New York Giants in Week 13 on “Monday Night Football,” so by the time the group takes its Week 14 bye, the group could already be close to a postseason berth.