Turnarounds in the NFL are nothing new these days, as it can often take a few pieces to turn a last-place team into a playoff team. The 2025 edition of the Patriots could be - and are expected by some to be - an example of that, as Eliot Wolf and Robert Kraft did an exceptional job this offseason of surrounding Drake Maye with better coaches and teammates.
Maye and the Patriots are set up for success this season, and on ESPN's "Get Up" talk show on Monday morning, Damien Woody, who was part of the Patriots' first Super Bowl teams, said New England is a team he's watching out to surprise people in the AFC.
Can the Patriots make the playoffs in 2025? Will they improve but fall just short in a loaded AFC? With training camp just under two weeks away, it's time to take a look.
Three reasons the Patriots will make the playoffs in 2025
1. A strong sophomore season from Maye
It all starts with the quarterback, and the Patriots will need Maye to make a second-year jump if they're going to contend for a playoff spot. His 15 touchdown passes and 2,200-plus yards passing as a rookie were solid, given the Patriots had a terrible offensive line and wide receiver group around him. Those numbers should improve in 2025, especially with a rebuilt offensive line and Stefon Diggs commanding the wide receiver group.
2. More playmakers on the offensive side of the ball
Yes, it starts with Diggs, and he appears healthy and primed to be the "WR1" New England hasn't had since Julian Edelman. Rookies TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams should be big-play threats, Rhamondre Stevenson is due for a bounce-back season, and DeMario Douglas is a dark-horse candidate to have a strong campaign catching the ball.
A rebuilt offensive line headlined by first-round pick Will Campbell and free-agent signees Garrett Bradbury and Morgan Moses will give the skill guys a chance to truly shine.
3. One of the league's easiest schedules
New England's first eight games don't exactly feature a murderer's row of opponents. With September and October featuring matchups with Las Vegas, Miami, Pittsburgh, Carolina, New Orleans, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Tennessee, six wins is not out of the question.
The Patriots' schedule gets a little more rugged in November with matchups with the Bengals and Buccaneers, so getting ahead of the eight-ball in a crowded AFC is paramount.
Three reasons why the Patriots will fall just short of the playoffs
1. The AFC is too deep
If the Patriots were in the NFC, a 9-8 record would likely secure them a spot in the postseason. Even if the Patriots can somehow go 10-7, that might not be enough in the AFC, given the crowded nature of the conference. It's possible that the AFC North or AFC West could have three teams qualify for the postseason.
Both divisions will likely have multiple teams. The AFC South is a one-horse race. The Patriots' December matchup in Baltimore could be a decisive factor in the postseason.
2. The offense takes too long to gel
The pieces are in place for New England to improve its offense this year, but the biggest question is how long it will take these players to mesh and get Josh McDaniels' scheme down pat. If that happens and the Patriots can't capitalize on the cupcakes on their schedule in September and October, they'll have too much ground to make up. Training camp will be a telling factor of what the team's chemistry looks like.
3. Maye is asked to do too much
Yes, the Patriots need Maye to be special this season to make a postseason run, but if they put too much weight on his shoulders, New England could be in trouble. Maye has the potential and the weapons around him to have a 25-touchdown, 4,000-yard type of season, but if Stevenson and Henderson can't be the thunder-and-lightning punch they're expected to be and Maye has to throw 40 or 50 passes, that's not a good sign.
