A New England Patriots' victory over the Buffalo Bills anywhere is a great win. But beating them at home will get your power rankings soaring in ratings by top NFL analysts like Tom Brady, who now ranks them 10th in his newest list. Things are on the upswing in Foxborough, and the party is just getting started.
The Patriots, led by precious young quarterback Drake Maye, have now climbed firmly into second place in the AFC East. They are right where they should be in light of the floundering Dolphins and hapless Jets. This trajectory has them on a path right into the 2025 playoffs.
Yet, an interesting aspect of the 2025 season thus far is not where they sit now, but where they could have been.
Winning even one of the games they lost by one score to the Raiders and especially the one they gift-wrapped to the Steelers with five turnovers and multiple penalties, and the Patriots would be sitting atop the AFC East tied with Buffalo. Winning both would have had them alone at the top.
The Patriots are on the move, and the sky is the limit
Observers who thought the Patriots were playoff contenders and could surprise in the AFC East aren't looking out in left field as some thought. What they failed to fully recognize was the potential of the Patriots' second-year quarterback, Drake Maye.
Maye and the Patriots are on the upswing, and it's being reflected nationally, even by the best NFL player and quarterback ever.
We've got a shake-up at the top of @TomBrady's Power Rankings this week! 👀📈📉 pic.twitter.com/eR9NfLZJRz
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 8, 2025
Brady's ranking is fine, but the potential is far higher than what his current suggestion indicates. The Patriots haven't even hit their stride, but with a few adjustments to their game and Maye at the helm, they'll be knocking on the door of the top of the AFC East.
The Patriots need to clean up their game to reach their goals
Head Coach Mike Vrabel said his first goal was winning the AFC East. Little did Patriot Nation know that that goal was reachable in 2025. Good or great teams are built in the offseason. As unlikely as it was, Vrabel took only one offseason to not only return the Patriots to respectability but to make them a good bet for the playoffs, a threat to win the AFC East, and more.
Vrabel's efforts are already bringing solid results as the win in Buffalo over the NFL's 2024 MVP Josh Allen and his terrific team attest. Yet, this squad has the potential to do much more if a few things eventuate. And it's on Vrabel and his staff, as well as his players, to make that happen.
Goal No. 1 should be to clean up the Patriots' game by continuing to reduce turnovers and avoid penalties. Turnovers will happen, but too many will wreck a game or a season. The five committed against a weak Pittsburgh Steelers team cost the Patriots that game and the top spot in the AFC East to boot.
Vrabel has to stress ball security to both his quarterback, Drake Maye, and everyone else, especially his butter-fingered running backs. There have been no consequences for avoidable turnovers. That's a mistake that's on Vrabel. Chronic fumbling like that of Rhamondre Stevenson should meet with consequences. One should be that TreVeyon Henderson should be elevated to running back No. 1.
Additionally, mental mistakes, aka penalties like false starts, also have to be dealt with. Those foolish gaffes are drive-wreckers. Brushing them off like the fumbles doesn't rectify the problem. The good news is that with the uber-precise Maye throwing the ball and the re-emergence of Stefon Diggs as a true No. 1 receiver, the needle is pointing up for the 2025 Patriots.
If Vrabel can sweep away those avoidable mistakes and clean up their game, there's no limit to what this team can accomplish.