State of the Patriots Q1 - 2025

[Real fan 02]

Maye just started in his 16th game.

He got credit for the 2024 Buffalo win that Milton actually played and won.

NE has the 11th ranked NFL offense through 5 games. NE finished 2024 ranked the 30th offense. Maye is smart enough, he is good enough and people like him. So far, Maye has 7 TDs - 2 INTS - 17 SACKS and he just had his 1st game winning drive (Buffalo) with many more to come. Maye has not passed for 300 yards yet, but he has thrown 3 TDs in game (vs Houston 2024)

Caveat is that the more games that Maye plays and wins, the more game film is accumulated for DCs to break down. The time will come when some DC figures Maye out and that hurdle will have to be overcome.

Presently, the 3 - 2 Pats next 3 games are vs 1 win teams -

Saints, 27th offense 24th defense
Titans, 31st offense 26th defense
Browns 31st offense 21st defense

Looks like a cake walk, but thats when you lose. 6 - 2 would be sweet, but 5 - 3 basically at the halfway point is alright as well. Obviously, the Pats would need 5 or 6 more wins to reach the...




A post season win would like the Super Bowl. This team is still rebuilding and changing the culture of a franchise where FAs want to come here and play for Vrabel, McDaniel's, Marrone, and with the Pats defense and Drake Maye. When you read that Tony Dungy went to NE practice before the Buffalo game and walked away convince that NE would win on SNF that is encouraging. Dungy is a solid Xs and Os Jimmy's and Joes guy.

The Patriots have a Defense that's improving.

They stop the run and that's where it all begins by making your opponent 1 dimensional.

Jeanty - 38 yards
Achane - 30 yards
Warren - 47 yards
Hubbard - 49 yards
Cook - 49 yards

What do you have to add?

Good stuff Triumph. Teams that stop the run and have good QB play typically are in the postseason. What I appreciate about this team is that even though they may appear to be exceeding external expectations. Vrabel has them believing they should win each game.

He's gotten them out that losers mentality. This team is hungry and motivated. Saints game they throttled us in 2023, titans game... Vrabel has this one circled, Drake has an opportunity to go back to redeem himself from last season.

The Browns due to their defense is probably the stiffest test.

I'd argue that DCs already have film on drake however Drake's abilities to get outside the pocket and make plays like he's shown similarly to what Allen does... & especially with Diggs will counter any Defensive game plan..

Barring any major injuries we should be able to be put in a good position this next month of the season.

 

[Water Boy]

That's a mind blowing statistic. Our run defense was one of my biggest concerns going into the season. Milton Williams was not really known as being stout against the run. Barmore was improving there, but the lingering health concerns. Plus with our smallish LBs, Chaisson not being much of an edge setter I thought we'd be vulnerable to the run. Tonga is an absolute beast. Durden has looked good too. We have an excellent compliment of DTs.

As Pats fans I think most of us are used to the 2 gapping set the edge type defense with 250 lb LBs. Nice to see this system working.

 

[n1997y]

I'd argue that DCs already have film on drake however Drake's abilities to get outside the pocket and make plays like he's shown similarly to what Allen does... & especially with Diggs will counter any Defensive game plan..

The problem DCs will be having is they’ll have film showing that Buffalo had some success countering Maye with a spy on him, but if they start to depend on that I’m sure Josh will have a way to exploit what that does to the rest of their D.

 

[manxman2601]

Considering we are five games into a rebuild and culture change, I couldn't be happier with where we are. That doesn't mean there aren't gaps.

1. The running game needs to be improved. It puts a lot of pressure on Maye. Thankfully he's been up more than up to the challenge. Will need an off-season to fix.

2. Not enough clean wins off the edge in pass rush. Our edge rushers need help either from interior pressure flushing QBs into them or from blitzes. Will also need an off-season to fix.

3. Too many catches over the middle. I think Woodson will be better in this department as he adapts to the pace of the NFL game. I'm less concerned about this than one and two.

As for Maye, he's been lights out although there are a couple of flaws still which i'm confident he will fix with experience.

1. Pocket presence - an issue which was highlighted during the Bills game. That will come with time.

2. The deep ball game. It would be nice to see him test defenses vertically more often. I'm fine with him gaining confidence within McDaniels' new system first before airing it out though. However, there will be games in our future where we'll need him to throw for 300-400 yards, something he has yet to do I believe.

 

[TommyD4207]

Considering we are five games into a rebuild and culture change, I couldn't be happier with where we are. That doesn't mean there aren't gaps.

1. The running game needs to be improved. It puts a lot of pressure on Maye. Thankfully he's been up more than up to the challenge. Will need an off-season to fix.

2. Not enough clean wins off the edge in pass rush. Our edge rushers need help either from interior pressure flushing QBs into them or from blitzes. Will also need an off-season to fix.

3. Too many catches over the middle. I think Woodson will be better in this department as he adapts to the pace of the NFL game. I'm less concerned about this than one and two.

As for Maye, he's been lights out although there are a couple of flaws still which i'm confident he will fix with experience.

1. Pocket presence - an issue which was highlighted during the Bills game. That will come with time.

2. The deep ball game. It would be nice to see him test defenses vertically more often. I'm fine with him gaining confidence within McDaniels' new system first before airing it out though. However, there will be games in our future where we'll need him to throw for 300-400 yards, something he has yet to do I believe.

He was 3-4 on passes over 20 yards against the Bills.

I'm not really sure what else you're looking for.

 

[manxman2601]

He was 3-4 on passes over 20 yards against the Bills.

I'm not really sure what else you're looking for.

Finding Kyle Williams when he gets this open is what I'm looking for.

 

[TommyD4207]

Finding Kyle Williams when he gets this open is what I'm looking for.

I mean, there's got to be a reason he's not playing more than he is. Maybe he's just not picking up the offense fast enough. He's a rookie, it happens.

 

[manxman2601]

I mean, there's got to be a reason he's not playing more than he is. Maybe he's just not picking up the offense fast enough. He's a rookie, it happens.

Sure but my point is that when he does get open so easily it will be nice when Maye finds him. I'm not criticising Maye, just saying that it's part of his game he can improve upon.

 

[Real fan 02]

The problem DCs will be having is they’ll have film showing that Buffalo had some success countering Maye with a spy on him, but if they start to depend on that I’m sure Josh will have a way to exploit what that does to the rest of their D.

Dequan Jones is one of the fastest D lineman in the league. If you remember that play to Diggs as Drake was going down and Drake was still able to make a sensational play. Having a spy on is excellent becuase it forces defenses to show thier hand. It only makes the entire offense better.. you have to commit a spy to Drake great! Now Henry is wide open, Boutte or even pop/Chism. To have to dedicate a defender typically a teams best Safety is a win for the offense.

 

[neuronet]

When you are a spoiled little *****, equality feels like persecution

 

[TommyD4207]

When you are a spoiled little *****, equality feels like persecution

It wasn't the refs that gifted them the game.

 

[p8ryts]

It wasn't the refs that gifted them the game.

That was ugly. I loved Chris Jones but it seems his money has gone to his head.

 

[Triumph]

When you are a spoiled little *****, equality feels like persecution

He will never be the NFL GOAT.

Brady would say that I need to get better.

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

He will never be the NFL GOAT.

Brady would say that I need to get better.

NFL GOAT doesn't get blown out in the Superbowl, twice.


Mahomes is/was great, but his supposed ascension up the list of greats has been gross IMO

and now he wants to cry about refs? Seriously - I thought it was a joke meme

Fk that punk b*tch, can't stand him

 

[Triumph]

Finding Kyle Williams when he gets this open is what I'm looking for.

SNF was for Diggs.

Vrabel gave him the very first game ball and was effusive in his praise for SD. The Pats locker room celebration really did not begin until Diggs made it inside the door.

 

[Triumph]

NFL GOAT doesn't get blown out in the Superbowl, twice.

Word

Mahomes and Kelce together on the bench weeping was puxxy **** to me.

Mahomes is/was great, but his supposed ascension up the list of greats has been gross IMO

and now he wants to cry about refs? Seriously - I thought it was a joke meme

Fk that punk b*tch, can't stand him

Brady gave Mahomes -

1 His first NFL loss.
2 His first post season loss.
3 His first Super Bowl loss.

Mahomes never beat Brady in a meaningful game and it will always be that way.

 

[State]

All is well. The following players haven’t been injured: Drake Maye, Hunter Henry, Will Campbell, and Milton Williams.

Take out one of these people and we’re f€€£¥d.

I should include soft as a marshmallow Easter bunny Gonzo. But he’s already missed time as he has every season. I expect more Stevenson fumbling and Gonzo being added, again, to the IR list.

It’s like death and taxes.

 

[n1997y]

All is well. The following players haven’t been injured: Drake Maye, Hunter Henry, Will Campbell, and Milton Williams.

Take out one of these people and we’re f€€£¥d.

I should include soft as a marshmallow Easter bunny Gonzo. But he’s already missed time as he has every season. I expect more Stevenson fumbling and Gonzo being added, again, to the IR list.

It’s like death and taxes.

Stop trying to jinx us!

 

[mgteich]

Finding Kyle Williams when he gets this open is what I'm looking for.

Williams takes two defenders with him, opening up others. I'm fine with that. There is no reason to pass into double coverage of WIlliams.

 

[KCSVEN]

I expected 4-1 at this point with the Bills a loss, I did give a possible 3-2 due to new coaching system tends to take time so they are about where I thought they'd be.

I'm not concerned about defenses figuring out Maye. His stats against disguised coverage is elite. The biggest thing is the more Maye sees what defenses do the more he will learn how to beat them. The first half of Buffalo vs second half was a perfect example.

The adjustments Maye made from first half to second half was unbelievable. Yeah, he will still get confused this year but eventually he'll see it all and then watch out.

He looks like he could eventually end up with Allen like playmaking but with Herbert like processing ability. That's kind of the perfect QB. Can't defend that. Just a question of when he gets to that level and exactly where he maxes out.