Julian Edelman knows a thing or two about short-term focus. He was one of the focal points of Patriots' teams that would shift their focus to their next opponent hours after a big win.
It would've been easy for the Patriots to fall into a trap game against an inferior opponent after a big Week 5 victory over the Buffalo Bills, but Mike Vrabel didn't let it happen. New England took care of the New Orleans Saints, and although it was ugly at times, the 25-19 victory represented that the Patriots' mental toughness is getting stronger.
Even though the Patriots' running game was a problem - again - Drake Maye was outstanding in throwing three touchdown passes and not turning the ball over. The Patriots made plays when they needed to, securing the win, and that's the most important statistic.
Really good win for the Pats.
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) October 12, 2025
Easy to let down after an emotional win like that in Buffalo. Vrabel preaches mental toughness and consistency and it showed today.
The Patriots' mental toughness in their win over the Saints is a sign of their upswing
When it came to mental toughness, Edelman represented that to a T during his career. He was always locked in and played with a grit and desire that turned him into one of the best slot receivers the NFL has ever seen.
That's a trait the Patriots have lacked in recent years, which has significantly contributed to the team's going 8-26 over the course of the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
What we saw on Sunday was the look of a team on the rise. The Patriots had two big plays, including a touchdown, that were called back by bad calls. Last year's team would've just put their heads down and found a way to lose the game.
The Patriots constantly found themselves behind the chains in the fourth quarter thanks to the inconsistent run game. But Maye and Kayshon Boutte found ways to make plays when it mattered most, including Boutte's clutch third-down catch that clinched the game. The throw by Maye on that play was outstanding and showed a sign of the quarterback's growth.
The more the Patriots buy into what Vrabel is preaching, the higher the mental toughness will get. And that's the most important tool this team will have in its box if it wants to make the playoffs.
Buckle up.