The Patriots indeed have to earn the respect of their peers and the national media after going 8-26 the last two seasons. The offseason was a promising start, following the team's acquisition of free agents and quality draft picks, which significantly improved the roster around Drake Maye.
There is a belief throughout the league that the Patriots will not underachieve in 2025, and some believe the team could battle for a postseason spot. This unit draws inspiration from the 1994 team, which went from 5-11 to 10-6 and into the playoffs in Drew Bledsoe's second season.
Even though the Patriots have a favorable schedule thanks to their last-place finish in 2024, some experts continue to dismiss them as a playoff contender, including FOX Sports' David Helman. He believes the Patriots have the 14th-best chance out of the 18 teams that missed the playoffs in 2024 to get there in 2025. Only the Saints, Jets, Browns, and Giants.
The Patriots are given more bulletin board material ahead of the 2025 season
When assessing the Patriots' chances of making the 2025 postseason, Helman believes New England is another season away, even though the talent is there. It's all a matter of everything clicking simultaneously in Foxborough.
Helman did note that it's not impossible to believe the Patriots will enter November at 7-2, which, given New England's relatively easy schedule over the first two months of the season, could happen.
There's no doubt that the AFC is loaded with contenders, and the battle for three Wild Card spots will be something to watch out for late in the regular season. But ranking the Patriots behind teams like the Colts, Raiders, Bears, and Titans feels a bit disrespectful.
Helman does believe that TreVeyon Henderson will surpass 1,000 yards rushing during his rookie campaign, and if that happens, the Patriots will be playoff contenders. Other factors, like the continued growth of Drake Maye and a talented defense keeping the Patriots in every game, will need to hold true as well.
They have the talent and the hunger to prove guys like Helman wrong. Let's see if it comes to fruition on the field.