There is a lot of football left to be played before the playoff discussion can be had in earnest, but the New England Patriots’ win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday certainly helps in that regard. Thanks to the team of Mike Vrabel celebrating a 25-19 victory on the road, it has now solidified its standing in the AFC playoff picture.

A look at the current list after the early window of games shows this:

1. Indianapolis Colts (5-1)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1)
3. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
4. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
6. Denver Broncos...

Things stayed within shouting distance at the Caesars Superdome.

But the New England Patriots shouted louder there on Sunday, defeating the New Orleans Saints by a score of 25-19.

Here’s a glance back on the 1 p.m. ET kickoff as head coach Mike Vrabel’s side returns home at 4-2 on the season.

Maye keeps finding a way downfield

A week removed from visiting the NFL’s last unbeaten team, it was on to visit a team fresh off its first win. There would be no letdown in Louisiana. Drake Maye found a way. And early. The Patriots quarterback went 18-of-26...

The New England Patriots already reached a milestone three months sooner than last season.

New England improved to 4-2 with Sunday’s 25-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints. The Patriots matched their win total from each of the last two seasons, and their fourth win of the 2024 campaign didn’t come until Week 18.

This marks the franchise’s best start since beginning 8-0 in Tom Brady’s final season with the Patriots in 2019. If they keep up this play, they could produce their first winning record and playoff appearance since 2021.

The Patriots also secured their first three-game winning streak...

The New England Patriots scratched and clawed their way to a victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, and can now officially say they have a winning streak on their hands…

No, that isn’t anything to be too proud of, but when you do something for the first time in three seasons, you celebrate!

I’ve got takeaways:

BUTT-UGLY

The Patriots really seem to enjoy making things harder than they need to be…

New England didn’t dominate this game, but ultimately won it within the margins, holding the edge in third-down efficiency (46% to 33%), total yards (333 to...

Officiating overshadowed the start of Sunday’s game between the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints.

Drake Maye began the Week 6 matchup by throwing a 53-yard touchdown pass to DeMario Douglas on the opening drive. They appeared to connect on another 61-yard score in the ensuing possession, but a dubious call negated the big play.

As Douglas celebrated, referees called offensive pass interference on Stefon Diggs. Confused CBS broadcasters tried to decipher what sparked the flag while watching the replay.

Diggs, who was nowhere near Douglas, lightly extended his arm to push away Kool-Aid McKinstry. The Saints cornerback had...

Coming off a big Sunday night victory, the New England Patriots head down to the Superdome for a matchup with the New Orleans Saints in search of their first three-game win streak since 2022.

With an emotional primetime victory against the Buffalo Bills behind them, the stage could be set for a letdown spot against a 1-4 Saints team coming off their first win of the season. But, the message throughout the building this week has been clear: flush the win and move on.

Follow along live down below throughout Sunday.

Live score: Patriots 7 : 3 Saints

*Sunday,...

Bill Belichick has faced intensified public scrutiny during a disappointing start to his head coaching reign at North Carolina. The program reportedly believes his former employer is partially responsible.

Members of UNC’s football program suspect the New England Patriots of sourcing some negative reporting about Belichick, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

North Carolina is 2-3 with three blowout losses behind Belichick, who surprisingly joined the ACC school in December. The ugly start has fueled speculation over whether the 73-year-old and the program could quickly try to part ways, but they released a joint statement confirming their commitment to each...

The New England Patriots will have to take on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday without one of their starting safeties. Jaylinn Hawkins was ruled out for the contest because of a hamstring injury, meaning that the team will carry only four players at the position on its game day roster.

Besides fellow starter Craig Woodson, New England also has Kyle Dugger, Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler round out the group. The question now becomes how they will employed against New Orleans, and whether or not former starter Dugger is finally about to see an increased role.

Following his demotion...

After spending the first five weeks of the season as a healthy scratch, New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Efton Chism is about to make his NFL debut on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. For the first time this season, the undrafted rookie was not announced as a game day inactive by the team.

With the Patriots forced to overhaul their kick return operation in light of the ACL tear Antonio Gibson suffered last Sunday in Buffalo, Chism is a candidate to serve as a replacement. During his five-year college career at Eastern Washington, he ran back 31 kickoffs...

A late scare won’t appear to sideline a key New England Patriots player for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

The Patriots added Milton Williams to the injury report on Sunday morning, listing the defensive tackle as questionable due to an illness. However, he’s officially active for the Week 6 showdown at the Superdome.

Christian Gonzalez is also active for Sunday’s game after being listed as questionable. The star cornerback, who sat out the first three games with a hamstring injury, was a limited participant in Friday’s practice.

The Patriots ruled out Anfernee Jennings, Jaylinn Hawkins, Keion White, Caedan...

Stefon Diggs has feasted in the New England Patriots’ last two games. The wide receiver showed gratitude to the unheralded group charging the offense.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Diggs had his personal chef cook for New England’s offensive line last week. The unit gathered for their weekly dinner at the home of center Garrett Bradbury.

The linemen curated a menu including burgers, wings, steak, baked beans, salad and desserts. Diggs offered to treat the group after holding a similar dinner for New England’s wide receivers.

“That food was phenomenal, smelled amazing right when we walked in,” Brown said. “A...

Drake Maye has the New England Patriots and their fans feeling good. Coming off a 23-20 upset win over the previously unbeaten Buffalo Bills, the team and its second-year quarterback are trending in the right direction.

Where their journey goes remains to be seen, but in Maye’s case he seems to have arrived among the better QBs in football. In fact, the latest results of our SB Nation Reacts survey show that 74% of Patriots fans already view him as a top-10 player at his position.

Interestingly enough, the comment section was a bit more cautious slapping that label onto...