The New England Patriots are coming off a season that looked like a full-blown breakout right up until the end. After stumbling to 4-13 in 2024, they surged to 14-3 in 2025, won the AFC East, and captured the AFC before the Super Bowl brought everything to a halt with a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Now the conversation shifts to 2026, and the big question is simple: can they do it again?
That’s where the case for regression starts to build. Drake Maye has already established himself as a franchise quarterback and a top 10 player at his position, but last year’s run was also helped by circumstances that are hard to count on twice.
New England played one of the easiest schedules in NFL history, with opponents combining for a 113-176 record and a .391 win percentage. That ranked as the softest schedule by opponent win percentage since the 1999 St.
Louis Rams.
The Patriots also made a habit of winning tight games, finishing 7-3 in one-score contests. That kind of edge can swing a season, but it’s rarely something a team can bank on year after year. This time around, they’re facing a first-place schedule, and the path won’t be nearly as forgiving.
There are roster concerns too. A.J.
Brown brings obvious talent, but the question is whether that will outweigh the locker room personality issues that caused problems in Philadelphia. The offensive line still needs better play from Will Campbell, and the pass rush remains a major question mark.
Put it all together, and there’s enough uncertainty to doubt another AFC title run. The Patriots may not fall all the way back to where they were two years ago, but the more realistic expectation is a step down from chasing the conference’s top seed to fighting for a wild-card spot.
With their win total set at 10.5, the pick here is the UNDER.
In Other News...
Patriots Suddenly Have A Real RB Roster Battle To Watch
Hassan Haskins has turned a late opportunity into a real training camp storyline for the Patriots, working his way into the mix for a backup running back job after arriving as a free agent. He has already taken part in the preseason opener and has been practicing with the team, giving New England a closer look at a player who has spent time with the Titans and Chargers and is trying to show he can be more than just emergency depth.
What makes Haskins interesting is that he is not only trying to earn a place in the backfield, but also helping out on special teams, which often matters just as much when rosters get trimmed. For a Patriots team sorting through the bottom of the running back chart, that kind of versatility can keep a player in the conversation a little longer, even if the final decision is still very much in flux. [Read more 🡒]
Drake Maye Just Turned Patriots Roster Cuts Into A Real Debate
The Patriots have built a wide receiver room that suddenly looks hard to trim, with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs penciled in as the top starters and Kayshon Boutte still expected to matter even as trade rumors continue to swirl around him. As the 2026 season approaches, the usual roster math is getting a lot trickier, because there are more viable options than there are obvious cuts.
Drake Maye has only added to the debate by backing the current group and floating the idea that New England could carry seven receivers, which would be unusual. It is the kind of comment that says as much about his leadership as it does about the roster, since he seems focused on keeping the room together and preserving a positive atmosphere while the team sorts out a decision that will not be easy. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Offensive Line Battle Just Took Another Early Turn
The Patriots offensive line picture kept shifting this week, and it did so in a way that underscored how quickly the bottom of the roster can change in August. In the wake of the preseason opener against the Colts, the teams roster churn included a series of moves that came alongside the usual run of press conference notes, game takeaways and early projections about who might stick and who might be on the outside looking in.
One of the more notable developments was the addition of two first-year offensive linemen, a reminder that New England is still sorting through depth and competition up front. The same set of transactions also cleared room elsewhere on the roster, with a long snapper let go and a guard moved to injured reserve, leaving the Patriots with even more questions to answer as the preseason keeps moving. [Read more 🡒]