"Under new Head Coach Mike Vrabel and MVP-level quarterback Drake Maye, the New England Patriots have roared to a 16-3 record, including two playoff wins. National pundits have downplayed their achievements for specious reasons like a "soft schedule," and those foolish comments continue. One Patriots analyst, however, saw a clear path to the AFC Championship game, and he was spot on. That was CLNS's Greg Bedard."
"Now it's incumbent upon the Patriots to continue to prove Bedard and others who were positive about the Patriots' 2025 season right. What that will take is beating the Broncos in Denver in the AFC title game and then besting the NFC Champion to win the Lombardi Trophy. Then, however, expect the naysayers and national anti-Patriots people to still try to belittle even that achievement."
"Regardless of all that silliness, the Patriots did what a possible champion does all season long: they beat the team the NFL said they had to play that week. The Patriots didn't determine their schedule; the league did. And in the playoffs, now even playoff teams, for whatever reasons these so-called analysts can drum up, aren't worthy enough. Mikie Vrabel and his team are ignoring the naysayers and going about their business"
New England Patriots, led by Head Coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye, compiled a 16-3 regular-season record and won two playoff games. Many national pundits dismissed those results with claims such as a "soft schedule," while some analysts identified a realistic path to the AFC Championship. CLNS's Greg Bedard predicted the route to the conference final and proved accurate. The Patriots must beat the Denver Broncos in Denver in the AFC title game and then defeat the NFC champion to win the Lombardi Trophy. Observers resentful of the franchise's past success may continue to criticize regardless of outcomes. Maintaining player health will be important.
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