With the AFC East crown within reach, the New England Patriots let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers last Sunday. A 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills-after leading by three touchdowns-wasn’t just a tough pill to swallow. It was a full-on collapse at a critical moment in the season, one that could’ve locked up the division for the first time since 2019.
But here’s the thing: Patriots fans aren’t panicking.
According to the latest SB Nation Reacts survey, 75% of respondents still believe New England will finish the job and take the division. That’s a remarkable show of faith, especially after a game that could’ve easily shaken confidence. Instead, it seems like most fans are chalking it up as a stumble, not a sign of a deeper issue.
Now, the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Sunday night brings a showdown with the Baltimore Ravens-a team that’s been inconsistent but still dangerous.
And while fans are optimistic, they’re also realistic. Sixty-five percent expect a one-score game, and 41% think the Patriots will pull out the win on the road.
That cautious optimism is reflected in the fan comments, too.
One fan, RJB33, put it plainly: “I think they will.” They acknowledge the possibility of a loss to Baltimore, which would make for a rough two-week stretch.
But they also point out that a matchup with the Jets looms after that-a team New England has historically handled well. And with the Dolphins now out of playoff contention and benching Tua Tagovailoa, the path to 13-4 is still wide open.
That would give the Patriots the edge over Buffalo even if the Bills win out, thanks to the tiebreaker.
Another fan, Ricky Hot Pants, voiced a sentiment a lot of Patriots supporters probably share: “I just don’t know.” That uncertainty-whether the team that shows up is the dominant first-half version or the one that let the Bills storm back-is what makes this Ravens game such a toss-up.
TDDsDad kept it blunt and hopeful: “Yes, yes, and less than one TD.” They’re banking on head coach Mike Vrabel rallying the team to play a full 60 minutes of football-something that’s been elusive at times this season.
Their prediction? It’ll come down to who has the ball last.
Then there’s Sportzballer, who took a step back to look at the bigger picture. They agree the team is trending in the right direction, but they’re not ignoring the bumps in the road-like the trade deadline decisions and a growing list of injuries.
Their main concern isn’t the division; it’s how the team will hold up in the postseason. Still, they believe the Patriots will close out strong and keep the Bills at bay.
Despite the recent loss, fan confidence in the team’s overall direction remains high. The approval rating dipped slightly-down 4% from last week and 8% since the bye-but it’s still sitting at a solid 91%.
That’s good enough to rank New England among the top teams in terms of fan sentiment heading into Week 16. For context, the Bills are sitting at 51%, and the Ravens?
Just 22%.
So what does it all mean?
The Patriots are still in control of their own destiny. Yes, they let one slip away in Buffalo.
But the division is still theirs to lose, and fans clearly believe in the team’s ability to finish strong. The Ravens game looms large, but with a favorable schedule to close out the season and a tiebreaker in hand, New England has every reason to believe the AFC East title is still coming home to Foxborough.