The general belief surrounding the New England Patriots' fate for the 2025 season was widely considered to be an expected improvement from a year ago, but nothing to get too excited about, regardless of the immense changes made to the coaching staff and the roster. Most analysts and fans had them winning up to eight games on the season, missing the playoffs and continuing to rebuild next offseason.
But that's far from what they've accomplished this fall, as they go into Week 12 against the Bengals riding high on an eight game win streak with a 9-2 record. The new Mike Vrabel-led machine has outperformed all expectations, and although that should be considered applaudable, it is not being doubted due to their "cupcake schedule."
Because they went into the season with the easiest strength of schedule in the league, there was already a thought that it could become a storyline at some point, despite most believing they would end with a losing record.
Now that they've ensured that won't happen, the naysayers are screaming from the rooftops that their schedule is the only reason they're winning, and not because of an improved coaching staff and an excelling second-year quarterback. And unfortunately, that narrative is only growing stronger this week, with Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase expected to be sidelined for their matchup.
Patriots' doubters are seething over Ja'Marr Chase's absence in Week 12
While loud detractors like Cam Newton spend their time on television and social media claiming the Patriots aren't as good as their record indicates, the team continues to put on stellar performances to prove just how wrong they are.
That is expected to happen again this weekend against the Bengals, who are already down QB Joe Burrow and now DE Trey Hendrickson, and it's looking like they will be without Chase, too, as he was suspended by the league for his antics against the Steelers last Sunday.
That is only feeding the talking heads that will now consider this week's clash more of an asterisk game for the Patriots if they win, despite how well Joe Flacco is playing in place of Burrow, and Tee Higgins is still a great receiver with or without Chase on the field, as well.
But because it's looking like New England will become 10-2 on Sunday, there are already plenty of headlines waiting to be made to take away from what they're accomplishing, as those outside of Patriots Nation cannot stand the idea of the team being mediocre for just five years.
It's understandable that after 20 years of dominance, fans around the league don't want to see the evil empire return, but it's certainly looking that way, at least this season. And it can only go up from here.