The New England Patriots are hoping for a quick turnaround around under new head coach Mike Vrabel, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes they are going to get it.
Schefter analyzed the schedules of all 32 NFL teams during the latest episode of “The Adam Schefter Podcast,” which was released on Thursday. Like many others, the reporter feels the Patriots have a fairly weak slate.
After looking over New England’s schedule, Schefter predicted that the Patriots are going to be one of the surprise teams of the 2025 season.
“I’m gonna make a prediction here right now: The Patriots are gonna win more games this year than people realize. They’re gonna be a better team this year than people realize,” Schefter said. “They had a strong draft, loaded up, and Mike Vrabel knows how to get his team ready and compete. That’s why they made the move. I believe the Patriots will be one of the surprise teams this year.”
Schefter then agreed that the Patriots could even be a playoff team. He compared them to the Washington Commanders, who went 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship Game last season after going 4-13 the year before.
“They are, to me, what the Commanders were last year,” Schefter said. “I know Jayden Daniels was stepping in, but the Commanders gave the Eagles a run. I could see the Patriots doing the same with the Buffalo Bills this year.”
The #Patriots will be a "surprise team" this year, @AdamSchefter says:
— New England Sports Fellow (@NESportsFellow) May 15, 2025
"They are to me what the Commanders were last year….The Commanders gave the Eagles a run, and I could see the Patriots doing the same with the Buffalo Bills."
(🎥: @ESPNNFL) pic.twitter.com/kCjldXDWFo
On paper, the Patriots do not have a difficult schedule. They should have an opportunity to get off to a strong start with home games against the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers in three of the first four weeks. Things should get a bit tougher later in the year, but other beatable non-division opponents include the New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons.
Vrabel has inherited a team that went 4-13 in each of the last two seasons. His first speech to the team drew mixed reviews, but the former Titans coach has already shown he can win in the NFL.
If Drake Maye has a good second season, a playoff push is not out of the question in New England.
