The New England Patriots spent the past two seasons at the bottom of the AFC East. A massive climb up the standings is possible in 2025.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra ranked the eight teams that finished last in their respective division during the 2024 season. The Patriots placed second behind the San Francisco 49ers as the squad most likely to transition from “worst to first” and win their division in 2025.
Patra noted that last year marked just the third season since 2003 that nobody jumped from last place to first. Can the Pats ride the NFL’s wave of parity to a massive turnaround behind new head coach Mike Vrabel?
“Mike Vrabel got more from less during his run in Tennessee, providing confidence that he can coax winning play from a crew that won eight games combined over the past two years,” Patra wrote. “If Drake Maye breaks out in Year 2, it will make Vrabel’s reclamation project that much easier.”
While Patra questioned New England’s offensive line and receivers, he still believes Maye has the talent and potential to make it work alongside returning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The Patriots signed Pro Bowl wideout Stefon Diggs and added Milton Williams, Carlton Davis III, Robert Spillane and Harold Landry to the defense during an offseason spending spree.
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Adding to the optimism in Foxborough, the Patriots can take advantage of a favorable schedule that features 11 games against teams that had losing records in 2024. Of course, it’ll require a substantial improvement from last season’s 4-13 record to end the Buffalo Bills’ five-year reign as AFC East champions.
“A fourth-place schedule, an infusion of talent, a greenhorn quarterback making the leap, and a savvy, no-nonsense coach to lead the comeback give the Pats a shot to knock Buffalo off the divisional throne,” Patra declared.
