Patriots have a chance to make Bills' Week 5 loss in primetime even worse

Before the 2025 season began, there was tremendous optimism surrounding the Patriots and their chances of achieving a much-improved season compared to what we've seen over the last few years. A big reason for that was the addition of Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels, plus the expected rise of second-year quarterback Drake Maye.

It didn't hurt that they had a widely considered easy schedule, either, and they have certainly benefited from that through the first six games.

They are now heading into Week 7 with a 4-2 record, putting them just behind the Bills after beating them on Sunday Night Football last Sunday, as Buffalo squares off against the Falcons on Monday Night.

And while that might seem like a desirable situation for the reigning divisional champions, there is a way for the Patriots to completely unravel their rival's season if something unexpected happens against Atlanta.

The Patriots could reign surpreme in the AFC East a lot sooner than expected

Although the Bills are heavy favorites in their matchup with the Falcons, who have only won two games this year, there is a chance they could lose, which would give them a 4-2 record, just like the Patriots.

However, because the Patriots beat them last week, that would slide them to the top spot in the AFC East, officially regaining their longtime positioning atop the division, just like they did for two decades during the dynasty.

Patriots fans couldn't help but salivate over the idea of it potentially happening at the end of Week 6, even if it is considered a long shot. But we know how things go in the NFL, and it only takes one play to change the result of a game.

The Bills haven't looked like the Bills over the past month, so they'll surely be using this game against what should be a very beatable opponent to get their season back on track. That should be easy to do, given how poorly the Falcons have fared this season, and it doesn't look like things will be improving any time soon.

But stranger things have happened during the course of an NFL season, and there is a chance, even if it is slight, that the Bills leave Atlanta with another loss. That would be a huge momentum swing in the Patriots' favor, who many didn't view as a legitimate threat to the division title this year, even if there was some chatter about a potential postseason run.

It would be the best way for New England to get another win against the Bills without having to beat them on the field again to do it. It would be the latest sign that Mike Vrabel was the right hire and even further proof that they are on the right path to regaining relevance, something a team like the Bills does not want to see in 2025.