The New England Patriots have had a brief respite in their run to the top of the AFC, as their game against the New York Giants is on Monday Night Football. Most of the praise has gone to Drake Maye and his offense, but Bleacher Report thinks the defense needs some plaudits, as well. And they're right.
More rest is good for MVP candidate Maye and his dinged-up offense, and also for the defense that's banged up, as well. Injuries are mounting, and as the season enters its final third, both units will be expected to carry their share of the weight.
You clearly need both to be firing on all cylinders if you're going to reach the now in sight uber-objectives they can achieve. Winning the AFC East is in their own hands, as is maybe even grabbing the top seed in the AFC, as well. It's a far cry from the 2024, 4-13 cellar-dwelling unit, indeed.
Bleacher Report is right that the Patriots' defense has been solid
Keeping an eye on the defense makes sense; they're the other top-two spoke of the wheel of any NFL team. Yet, one thing about the 2025 Patriots that needs to be kept clearly in focus is that this team will win or lose based on Drake Maye's arm and other skills. It's the way of the NFL. But the defense also has to step in and step up if the team is to realize all of its now-lofty goals.
Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report provided a sentence to describe each NFL team at Thanksgiving time and his choice for the Patriots is interesting.
"Meanwhile, this rebuild is on hyperspeed for a team that is shocking the world thanks only in part to Drake Maye (don't overlook the defense)."
For certain, the Patriots' rebuild or reconstruction has been at warp speed, and progressed to an extent only the most optimistic of observers thought was on the way. Make no mistake about it, this whole business is the doing of Mike Vrabel. Just compare and contrast the free agencies and drafts of 2024 and 2025, and you'll have all the justification you need for that observation.
This is and has been the work of a true NFL professional. Amateur hour ended on January 12, 2025, when Robert Kraft hired Vrabel, who began to immediately rebuild not only a dismal offense but his forte, the defense, as well. He transformed a bottom-of-the-NFL roster in one amazing offseason into a contender, and is also coaching them to almost unimaginable heights in his first season.
The unflappable Maye now has a new offensive line (still a work in progress), a couple of solid veteran receivers in Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, a dynamic rookie running back, TreVeyon Henderson, and returnee, tight end Hunter Henry. It's an offense that no one in the NFL wants to play. And, yes, Vrabel has also added solid pieces to a 2024 defense that couldn't make plays or get off the field.
The Patriots' defense deserves more credit for the team's success in 2025
Fox Sports ranked the Patriots' overall defense 24th last season. That's not exactly a formula for a playoff run. This season, they have them up to seventh. That's quite a jump as they've leapfrogged solid outfits like the Bills, Chiefs, and Lions in the process.
Vrabel knew he had one top defensive player on hand in cornerback, Christian Gonzalez. He also had a few good players, including defensive tackle Christian Barmore, promising linebacker Christian Elliss, and cornerback Marcus Jones. After that, there wasn't much. He began adding better players at each level.
He signed free agent edges, Harold Landry III and K'Lavon Chaisson. Both were immediate starters. He also signed two defensive linemen, now injured, terrific defensive tackle Milton Williams, and huge nose tackle Khyiris Tonga, one of the top surprises of the season. Another free-agent signee, tackling machine, linebacker Robert Spillane leads the team with 95 tackles in 12 games.
In the defensive backfield, he gave Gonzalez and Jones help by signing solid No. 2 cornerback Carlton Davis III (who almost single-handedly locked up a win late against the Bengals). Vrabel also drafted a top safety, Craig Woodson, his draft's biggest surprise. The fourth-round pick has started 11 of the team's 12 games. Vrabel's upgrades to the defense have been superb.
The Patriots' next five games will determine their playoff spot. Drake Maye and his offense will be the ultimate determinants of whether the Patriots win the AFC East and maybe the top seed in the AFC, or not. But as Bleacher Report rightly notes, don't sleep on the Patriots' retooled defense. It's been a major contributor, and the team will need both units to excel to reach its now lofty goals.