New England made a surprising playoff run this season, led by new head coach Mike Vrabel and rookie quarterback Maye. They turned their record around dramatically, going from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3. This 10-win jump is one of the biggest in NFL history.
For the first time since Tom Brady’s last two seasons (2018 and 2019), the Patriots won the AFC East title and made it to the AFC Championship game. Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 draft, seems to be the long-awaited successor to Brady. At just 23, he is younger than Brady was when he won his first Super Bowl in 2002. Despite the snowy conditions, Maye showed promise, throwing three touchdown passes, although he had three turnovers.
In contrast, Houston’s quarterback CJ Stroud struggled significantly. He had four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Despite having the NFL’s top defense and a strong 10-game winning streak leading into the playoffs, the Texans faced another early exit.
Next week, Maye will face off against Jarrett Stidham, another quarterback with connections to New England. Stidham was initially seen as Brady’s successor in 2019 but has had a rocky path since. Now with Denver, he will start only his fifth NFL game after the Broncos’ main quarterback suffered an injury.
This season highlights how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL. Teams that show potential one year may struggle the next, and vice versa. As fans and analysts look forward to the next championship game, it’s clear that the league continues to surprise.
For more insights on NFL trends and team performance, check out this NFL analysis report.
