#new-england-patriots

#new-england-patriots

Throughout much of the months leading to the 2025 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots were connected to two of the most highly-touted players of the incoming class: left tackle Will Campbell and pass rusher Abdul Carter. They needed upgrades at both positions, so fans quickly took an interest in both players. But the excitement of a game-wrecking pass rusher led many to desire Carter to be the team's No. 4 overall pick, if he were to somehow fall into their lap.

"Let them enjoy a win on a short week," Vrabel said after Thursday's 27-14 win over New York. "Like I told them, I'm excited we're 9-2. I'm excited that I don't have to see them until Monday."

Conner, a sixth-round pick from Texas, has yet to debut as a rookie after suffering a knee injury in the preseason. The Cardinals placed Conner on IR with a return designation when they trimmed their roster to 53 players on Aug. 26. Now that Conner's back at practice, the Cardinals will have 21 days to activate him. Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson will miss Thursday's game against the Jets with a toe injury,

ESPN Eliminator Challenge is one of the most fun games to play this NFL season. The rules are simple: pick one team, and as long as they win (or tie), you advance to the next round. If they lose, you are out. The caveat is you cannot pick the same team twice. If you've made it this far, give yourself a pat on the back.

After shipping out Kyle Dugger, Keion White and Ja'Lynn Polk for some modest draft compensation, the Patriots felt like a team poised to add to a roster that's extremely thin around the edges. That didn't happen. Head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged that conversations took place, both internally and externally, but insinuated that his team wasn't all that close to making a move before last week's deadline.

The New England Patriots picked up a big win on Sunday, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-23. With the win, New England moved to 8-2, which is tied for the best record in the NFL. If the playoffs started today, the Patriots would be the No. 3 seed in the AFC, only behind the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. Despite this reality, not everyone is a believer in New England.

Among the biggest weaknesses has been the backfield. At the start of the season, it looked like they were in need of major upgrades at the running back position because Rhamondre Stevenson's fumbling issue reared its ugly head. Then, Antonio Gibson tore his ACL and will be sidelined for the rest of the season, eliminating one of the most reliable members of the RB group.

Because they were given the superstar treatment this week in their matchup against the Bucs, the New England Patriots had a lot of eyes watching their game in Tampa, wanting to see if the current leaders in the AFC East are the real deal or are a product of their easy strength of schedule. It was a lot for the Patriots to live up to, as they hoped to continue

The New England Patriots' safety room looked pretty cut and dried during the preseason. While the team didn't have a true deep man, veterans Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger seemed sure to man the two spots as they did with some success in 2024. Instead, Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams' new defensive scheme required a different style of player. Peppers was the surprise release before the season, while Kyle Dugger fell down the depth chart.

McDaniels and Vrabel have one thing in common with their past: they love to run the football. The Patriots haven't run the ball as well as fans might have hoped, with Rhamondre Stevenson averaging just 3.4 yards per carry and the rushing offense 17th in the league. For a team that ranked 14th in rushing last season, this reality is somewhat disappointing.

He's completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 1,919 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions this year to go with a 98.1 passer rating. While those stats might not jump off the page, Mayfield's had to make do with a rotating cast at wide receiver this season, thanks to injuries. He's also been fearless on long-distance throws, completing 14 of 39 passes of 20-plus air yards for 511 yards, eight touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

One illuminating way to gauge how your favorite football team is perceived around the NFL is to look at which announcer teams television networks deploy to call their Sunday games. During the two-decade dynasty, Jim Nantz called so many Patriots games - first with analyst Phil Simms on CBS's top team for 13 seasons, then with Tony Romo beginning in 2017 - that a moment was spent acknowledging his 100th broadcast of a New England contest during an October 2020 matchup with the 49ers.