There has been a lot to like about the New England Patriots during their five-game winning streak, which is their longest since the 2021 season. But no team is perfect, and there is one glaring flaw that could prove costly for Mike Vrabel and company if they don't start fixing it.
I'm talking about slow starts. Yes, the Patriots have taken care of the Saints, the Panthers, the Browns, and the Titans over the last month-plus, but the common denominator in those games? All four opponents scored opening-drive touchdowns.
The Patriots are not going to play Cam Ward, Spencer Rattler, and Dillon Gabriel every week. They still face Josh Allen, and there's a chance that, when they go to Baltimore, Lamar Jackson will be healthy. You're not going to get away with that against those guys.
Vrabel was diplomatic when he said his Patriots need to start faster defensively. They gave up a 3rd and long on Cleveland's first drive when they had a chance to get off the field on a three-and-out.
Mike Vrabel when asked why it took his defense a few drives to settle in:
— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) October 26, 2025
“…We gotta take care of the ball better and continue to find opportunities. They hadn’t turned it over. And then when their gimmick plays ran up, I thought we played pretty good defense.”@WEEI #NEPats pic.twitter.com/h9rvkqpqaf
PThe atriots need to clean up their slow starts - and fast
Some pundits are starting to buy in on the Patriots taking the AFC East crown from Buffalo this year. While the Patriots are leading the division, Buffalo - which thumped Carolina in Week 8 - isn't going anywhere.
And if the Patriots are going to fulfill those predictions - or even get to the playoffs - they've got to get off the field on defense early in games. You can't fall behind the eight-ball against better quarterbacks like Allen and Jackson. New England's offense had to settle for three field goals in the first half, and if Cleveland had a more competent signal-caller, who knows how the first half would have turned out.
Vrabel noted that when the Browns' gimmicky plays started to fail, the Patriots settled in, but you can't rely on that over the course of a season. As great as Drake Maye is playing, you can't count on him to be flawless every week.
A good goal for next week's game against Atlanta would be to keep the Falcons out of the end zone on their opening drive.