Patriots links 10/21/25 – Defense: Slow start, strong finish

TEAM TALK

• Evan Lazar‘s After Further Review: Breaking down Drake Maye, the run game and the defense from Sunday. Defense Review: Patriots struggling with the ‘opening script’ and in man coverage, but settling down once game declares; More!
• Mike Dussault highlights Drake Maye, whose rise is sparking an offensive identity and the confidence to compete with anyone.
• Roster Move: Patriots claim LB Caleb Murphy off waivers.
• Press Conference Transcript: Mike Vrabel (Plus 10 min. video)
• WEEI Patriots Monday: Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye.
• Photos: Best game photos from Week 7 win in Tennessee.

LOCAL LINKS

• Andrew Callahan‘s Patriots-Titans film review: Drake Maye’s next step and how Mike Vrabel got his revenge.
• Jerry Thornton shares his knee-jerk reactions to Patriots vs Titans: “More than anything, this game was a reminder of what once was, and can be again. … It felt like welcoming someone you love, and have missed terribly, after they’d been gone for far too long.”
• Steve Balestrieri offers his observations of how the Patriots and Drake Maye woke up and flattened the Titans: Players make it personal for their coach; Defensive slow start again, worrisome trend? More!
• Karen Guregian assesses Drake Maye’s performance in blowout win over the Titans. During the Patriots’ winning streak that reached four games on Sunday, Maye has come into his own and established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
• Doug Kyed highlights Mike Vrabel explaining how the Patriots were able to run the ball, resolving one of their biggest weaknesses, running the ball.
• Tom E. Curran explains how Drake Maye has established a new standard after putting together another sensational effort in Week 7.
• Matt Vautour talks about how suddenly, easy Patriots wins and dominant Drake Maye games just feel normal.
• Karen Guregian writes how Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye are forging one of the NFL’s best coach-QB duos.
• Jerry Thornton reminds us of the all the draft capital the Patriots turned down to select Drake Maye.
• Mark Morse picks the Good, Bad & Ugly from the Pats blowout win over the Titans.
• Pats Procrastination podcast: Clare and Chudders discuss Sunday’s win over the Titans, and look ahead to the Browns. (30 min.)
• Pats Chat podcast: Doug Kyed and Michael Hurley break down Pats-Titans and discuss the Best/Worst from the game; More! (1 hour)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Jeffri Chadiha (NFL.com) The First Read: Six simple truths heading into NFL Week 8: 1) It’s been a long time since we’ve seen this much parity in the league.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Drake Maye is first in SB era with 90 percent completion rate, 200 passing yards, 50 rushing yards in a game.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Stefon Diggs: Mike Vrabel told us every game is personal, but felt good to win for him.
• Nate Davis (USA Today) 32 things we learned in NFL Week 7: Are we headed for another Chiefs-Eagles...