Pats Pulpit
After a long drought the tide is finally coming back in. The Patriots are surging in 2025, extending their hot streak and climbing the power rankings after a dominant 31-13 Week 7 victory over the Titans. This marked their fourth win in a row, improving their record to 5-2 and putting them alone atop the AFC East standings while the Buffalo Bills were stuck watching it happen from their bye week. For a franchise that endured a depressing 4-13 trudge march in 2024, what’s happening now signals a real turnaround, with second-year quarterback Drake Maye as the tide-turning force.
The experts are pretty high on the Patriot’s trajectory, especially considering its relatively easy strength of schedule ahead. Currently, New England is a playoff-bound team, steadily improving week-to-week. The players and coaches are vibing, and it’s hard not to rise with the flood of good feelings lifting this ship. Buffalo still is a good team and will compete hard for the division lead. The Miami flotsam and NY jetsam are dead in the water, but could still pose a trap hazard if the Patriots let down their guard.
Up next come the 2-5 Cleveland Browns who just ended a three-game skid. So far they are 0-3 on the road but I don’t think that skid will end in Foxborough. Drake Maye and the offense could be tested by Cleveland’s stout defense, but New England’s 3-game road win streak and home-field advantage have them as 7-point favorites. A win Sunday would solidify their status as a playoff contender, not just a spoiler. Hold on, tide’s coming in! Patriots win this one and cover the spread.
GO PATS!!
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Around the AFC East:
New England Patriots (5-2) vs. Cleveland Browns (2-5)
Buffalo Bills (4-2) at Carolina Panthers (4-3)
Miami Dolphins (1-6) at Atlanta Falcons (3-3)
New York Jets (0-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-4)
AFC Matchups:
Indianapolis Colts (6-1) vs. Tennessee Titans (1-6)
Denver Broncos (5-2) vs. Dallas Cowboys (3-3-1)
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) vs. Green Bay Packers (4-1-1)
Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) vs. Minnesota Vikings (3-3)
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3) – Bye
Kansas City Chiefs (4-3) vs. Washington Commanders (3-4)
Houston Texans (2-4) vs. San Francisco 49ers (5-2)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) – Bye
Baltimore Ravens (1-5) vs. Chicago Bears (4-2)
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9th – Pete Prisco (CBS Sports): Coach and quarterback. That’s the equation for winning in this league. They have them in Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye. [nc]
10th – Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports): K’Lavon Chaisson, a 2020 first-round draft pick, looked like a bust. Did you see his breakout coming? His career-best season was five sacks; he has 4.5 sacks already this season. He had two sacks and a fumble recovery touchdown Sunday. What an unexpected boon for New England. [nc]
10th – Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk): The remaining schedule is very favorable. [nc]
11th – Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News): *The Patriots are rolling with Drake Maye in full control of the downfield passing game and now also boosting the rushing attack with scrambles...
