There was a clear need for the Patriots to prove they were on the right path to becoming a competitive team again this season, especially with a massively improved coaching staff and an upgraded roster, so they needed to win more than four games. They accomplished that and then some, tying for the league's best record at 14-3, yet they are still doubted as serious Super Bowl contenders.
Maybe that's chalked up to their inexperience as a whole, since a majority of the roster haven't even experienced a playoff game, or perhaps it all goes back to the annoying narrative that their easy schedule is why they were so successful this year.
Regardless, they've proven they will be a legitimate threat and can confirm that with a big-time win in primetime over the Chargers on Sunday night. Better yet, they can back up a stat that proves they fit the Super Bowl criteria and put the league on notice that the Patriots are officially back.
Stats prove the Patriots are right alongside the top Super Bowl favorites in this year's playoffs
It's no coincidence that there is generally a pattern among Super Bowl contenders and winners that explains how those teams reached the pinnacle of any NFL season.
That's the case again this year, according to consistent statistics on the past nine Championship games, and the Patriots are one of the five teams that meet the criteria who are in the playoffs.
In the past 9 years, every team that has won the superbowl has had at least a top 11 offense and a top 13 defense. Every team that has made it has had at least a top 11 offense.
— nicky (@PFF_Nicky) December 23, 2025
There are currently 5 teams that fit the SB winning criteria:
Rams
Patriots
Jaguars
Bears
Bills pic.twitter.com/Bmiqju0oQh
While that might not help them perform better on the field, it's at least a promising sign that they aren't as far behind their competition as the doubters think they are, and they aren't much different from some of the most recent Super Bowl contenders and winners.
This just proves they're more than capable of reaching, and maybe even winning, the Lombardi trophy, but they'll have to clean up their act a bit to make the path a little easier.
Although they won in dominant fashion against the Dolphins last week, it wasn't smooth sailing, especially on special teams and in the number of missed defensive tackles. That will need to be cleaned up against a very talented Chargers team if they hope to have a real chance to continue their postseason.