The New England Patriots are one of three teams in the NFL sporting an 8-2 record. The other two are the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts. However, a closer look shows that all these teams have faced weaker opponents. Out of their 24 total victories, only five were against teams with winning records. The Colts’ win over the Broncos was one of those rare matchups.
The Broncos pulled off a notable victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, showcasing their strength in the final quarters. The Colts can count on star running back Jonathan Taylor. But the Patriots have made a strong statement recently, notably with their win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, adding to their earlier success against the Buffalo Bills.
Patriots’ head coach Mike Vrabel is starting strong. His team quickly rebounded from two early losses, now on a seven-game winning streak. Sweeping past Baker Mayfield on Sunday, especially after the Buccaneers had a bye week to prepare, was a huge accomplishment.
Drake Maye, a standout player, is making MVP claims hard to ignore. He’s shown resilience, taking some tough hits while still leading his team to victory. The Patriots’ defense looks solid, and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson shone brightly with 147 rushing yards and two impressive touchdowns. His first score hit a remarkable speed of over 22 mph. This kind of explosive play is hard to come by.
While debates around who is “the best” team will continue, the Patriots seem to have an easier path ahead, with just one remaining matchup against a winning team—against the Bills. In contrast, the Broncos have a challenging slate in the AFC West, facing the Chiefs twice, along with the Chargers and the Packers. The Colts will contend with the Chiefs, Seahawks, and 49ers, in addition to two games against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As the season progresses, everything remains up for grabs. The potential for unexpected twists, especially in the top seed race for the AFC, keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
To add depth to this discussion, a recent survey by The Athletic found that fans believe strong defenses, like the Patriots’, can often make or break a season. In fact, teams with top-tier defenses have a higher likelihood of making the playoffs, providing more fuel to the Patriots’ hopeful outlook this season.
For more insights, check out The Athletic’s complete NFL analysis.



















