New England Patriots

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

This season began with significant roster turnover, including the retirement of center David Andrews and the release of long snapper Joe Cardona. It was the first time since 1992 that the Patriots' roster contained no players who had won or would win a Super Bowl with the team. Despite losing key veterans like Ja'Whaun Bentley and Deatrich Wise, the team achieved a .824 winning percentage, their best since the Super Bowl LI-winning 2016 season. They became the first NFL team since the 1999 Indianapolis Colts to suffer two consecutive seasons with 13 losses and then win 13 or more games in the third year. The team also recorded its first season with a 4,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard receiver since 2019. Quarterback Drake Maye finished as the runner-up for NFL Most Valuable Player, falling to Matthew Stafford by a single vote.

In Their Own Story

The Patriots' path to the playoffs was defined by dramatic victories and record-setting feats. After securing their first winning season with a Week 11 win over the Jets, they clinched a playoff berth in Week 16 by defeating the Baltimore Ravens—their first postseason berth since 2021 under Bill Belichick. A Week 17 victory over the Jets, combined with a Buffalo Bills loss, secured their first AFC East title since 2019. The team's resilience was highlighted by a Week 18 win against the Miami Dolphins, tying the NFL record for the largest single-season turnaround at 10 games. In the postseason, they defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 16–3 in the Wild Card Round and the Houston Texans 28–16 in the Divisional Round. The AFC Championship saw them travel to Denver to defeat the Broncos 10–7, their first road conference championship win since 2018. They became the first team in NFL history to defeat three top-five ranked defenses in a single postseason.

Reader's Guide

The 2025 Patriots navigated one of the easiest schedules in league history, with a strength of schedule rating of .391 and only three regular-season games against opponents finishing with winning records: the Pittsburgh Steelers once and the Buffalo Bills twice. The team's offensive efficiency was bolstered by a first-place finish in scoring defense and a balanced attack featuring their first 4,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard receiver since 2019. Head coach Mike Vrabel received NFL Coach of the Year honors, becoming the first Patriots head coach to win the award since Bill Belichick in 2010; it was his second time winning, having previously won with the Tennessee Titans in 2021. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels also made history as the first Patriots assistant coach to receive NFL Assistant Coach of the Year since the award's introduction in 2014.

Did You Know?

• The Patriots became the first team in NFL history to finish 9–0 on the road.
• They were the first team since the 2004 Steelers to lose double-digit games one season and win 14 or more the next.
• Quarterback Drake Maye lost the MVP vote by a single margin to Matthew Stafford.
• The team's 12th Super Bowl appearance extended their NFL record, though they fell to the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
• With six Super Bowl losses, the Patriots became the first franchise to lose the most Super Bowls in history.