Pats Pulpit
As the New England Patriots left MetLife Stadium with a victory on Sunday, they wrapped up a perfect 8-0 record on the road this season — the only team in the league to do so.
“How about that?” Mike Vrabel reacted post-game.
The undefeated road record marks the third time the Patriots have reached that mark in franchise history, along with 2007 and 2016. It’s just the 12th time in NFL history a team has finished a season perfect away from home.
Additionally, Mike Vrabel became the second coach in league history to go undefeated on the road in his first season with a team, joining George Seifert with the 49ers in 1989.
“We’ve talked about all those things that have helped us along the way,” Vrabel said. “Talked about unfinished business on the road and being able to, when we needed too, handle the environment and make critical plays, get off to a good start like we did today. Really proud of this football team and what they’ve been able to do. Anytime you travel, it’s difficult.”
The record would not have existed if New England did not come from behind in a back-and-forth road contest back in Week 2 in Miami. But, they ultimately prevailed and have since gone on to win 12 of their next 14 total games.
“It was a tough one, that first one just going all the way back to Miami,” Vrabel said. “I think that was just a really important game for us. Being to battle and give up a punt return, answer with a kick return, big kick from Andy [Borregales].”
Under Vrabel, the Patriots have adopted a road warriors mentality after the win in Miami. That identity led to three consecutive road wins in October and was capped off by a dominant 42-10 victory over the Jets in the road finale.
“It’s tough to win on the road in this league. We pack our identity, stay true to ourselves, and bring it each and every week,” Drake Maye said. “Going 8-0 on the road was something that we thought would be pretty cool. We accomplished that today.”
