"The New England Patriots' back-to-back 4-13 seasons were uncharacteristic for a franchise that had sat at the top of the league for two decades and won six Super Bowls in that time. It was a dramatic fall from grace that many expected, yet was far worse than imagined, which fortunately opened the door for Mike Vrabel to come in and turn things around."
"He has already accomplished that, no matter how the 2025 season ends, because most analysts projected the Patriots would maybe double last season's win record. And while they've done that and then some, there are still doubters expressing disbelief in what this team can really accomplish, prompting some players to relive the preseason narratives they certainly heard."
""I could lie to you and say we don't, but I think everyone has an ear and they hear. Doubt definitely pushes people to a higher level than they actually thought they were capable of. So from the start to where we're at now, we all continue to believe in who we are and what we're capable of as a team.""
The Patriots suffered consecutive 4-13 seasons after two decades of league dominance and six Super Bowl victories, creating a stark collapse. Mike Vrabel was hired and immediately began restoring the program, reversing the downward trend. The 2025 team has already outperformed modest preseason projections and doubled last season's win total in many analysts' eyes. Persistent doubters and social media noise have strengthened player resolve rather than weakened it. Players report that external doubt pushed them to a higher level, and a renewed team culture under Vrabel has fostered closeness and a collective belief in their capabilities.
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