Depending on where you look and who you ask, the Patriots could either be destined for another losing season or are now poised to reach the playoffs with Mike Vrabel as the new head coach. No matter what, however, their biggest competition in the AFC East will remain the Buffalo Bills, who are expected to reign supreme over the division once again.
Fortunately, the Patriots are projected to be in much better standing this season than they have been in recent years, especially on defense. Besides having a bright mind and a Hall of Fame player calling the shots, the new regime has added impressive players to the roster through free agency and the draft, with the hope of significantly improving their pass rush.
Additionally, they aim to have a stronger squad to stop the run, a weakness that has plagued their game for several years. And, based on recent comments made by Allen regarding the ever-so-controversial Tush Push, they're going to need to be on top of their game against the Bills again this year.
The Patriots will have more of a tall task in their matchups against the Bills in 2025
Earlier this offseason, it was proposed to NFL owners to vote on the future of the tush push being used after some teams felt it should be made an illegal play. For the most part, it was a proposal brought to the owner's meeting by teams that have struggled to stop it in big games, such as the Chiefs' inability to slow down Jalen Hurts and the Eagles in this year's Super Bowl.
However, the proposal didn't garner enough support to make it illegal, which has Josh Allen excited about the Bills' ability to continue using it. That means the Patriots will still have a tough road ahead of them when matching up with the Bills this fall.
"I'm a big believer in if you can't stop it, keep running it, right?
I understand the merit of what it brings, and so I don't really sway one way or the other. I try to play the game based on the interpretation of the rules. And if that was the rule that was passed, you know, we'll find a different way. But I feel like if you can use it to your benefit, use it to your benefit. If you don't like it, my advice is to stop it, you know?
Considering Allen and Hurts play a similar game and are nearly impossible to stop when utilizing a running play like the Tush Push, it's unsurprising to hear Allen frame the push back on the Tush Push in this way. If the Patriots were to incorporate it into their playbook, especially since many believe Drake Maye is similar to Allen, then surely Patriots fans and the team would feel the same way.
However, because they've been on the receiving end of the Tush Push, it hasn't been as much fun, and it certainly won't be this year if the Bills ramp up their usage of the infamous play.
The defense and all of its new faces will need to use Allen's words as motivation to plan ahead and devise a good scheme to stop the play as best they can. It might be nearly impossible, given the size of Allen and his history of completing those kinds of plays. However, the defense is better equipped to get the job done than it has been in years past.