It wouldn't be a successful season in New England if the team were scrutinized for some outlandish reason. Unfortunately, that's what's happening now, as the Patriots head into the playoffs. Besides not being considered a serious threat because of their overall inexperience, the main criticism continues to center on their strength of schedule.
Those questioning how a team that just went 4-13 last year has now won 14 games this year suggest they have only played bad teams; therefore, that explains their success.
It's been a talking point all season long, and the players have had to answer several questions about it, which can't be easy. Yet most of their responses are applaudable, including the latest comments from quarterback Drake Maye, who has received some of the harshest criticism because of his significant second-year jump in performance.
Drake Maye sounds like Bill Belichick when responding to another schedule question
While speaking to reporters last week, Maye was asked about the consistent comments about the strength of schedule and whether he had anything to say to those who won't stop mentioning it, despite it not ever being a legitimate talking point for other teams in the past.
Besides shooting back with a perfect response, Maye's answer sounded straight out of the Bill Belichick handbook, making it nearly hard to believe he was never coached by the now UNC head coach.
Drake Maye on people saying the Patriots schedule has been too easy:
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) December 31, 2025
"We play in the National Football League... It's not like we're playing Foxborough High School down the road."
Where have we heard the Foxborough High School comment made before?
It became one of the most discussed answers Belichick gave throughout his New England tenure, and now we're hearing it from Maye, too.
Although some might take it offensively, like those attending the high school, it's clearly more of a jab at those questioning the legitimacy of the Patriots and who they're playing against, which is, in fact, other National Football League teams.
Not to mention, before the 2025 season began, most analysts predicted they would win a max of nine games, which was a big improvement from the last two years. But now that they have exceeded expectations and won the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff standings, all of a sudden, their schedule was "too easy."
Regardless, it's clear that Maye and the rest of the team are using this kind of trash talk as leverage to fuel their rise. They're hearing what's being said but not allowing it to dictate what they do or impact them in any way.
They're in for a big test on Sunday night against a very good Chargers team, and hopefully, they'll make the fans proud with an impressive win to move on to the second round of the postseason.