The New England Patriots are entering the final stretch of the 2025 NFL regular season with as much momentum and intrigue as any team in the league. At 12-3, the Patriots have already secured a playoff berth, but with two games left—including a Sunday showdown against the struggling New York Jets (3-12)—the stakes remain sky-high for both the team and their sensational young quarterback, Drake Maye. The Patriots faithful have reason to be excited: not only is their team back in the postseason, but Maye is firmly in the mix for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award, a feat rarely seen from a second-year quarterback.
Maye’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Just last week, he orchestrated a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to topple the Baltimore Ravens 28-24 on Sunday Night Football, a performance that punched New England’s ticket to the playoffs and sent shockwaves through the MVP race. Maye carved up the Ravens’ defense for 380 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a single interception, completing 31 of 44 attempts and adding 25 yards on the ground. The poise he showed in crunch time—leading two clutch touchdown drives in the fourth quarter—had Patriots fans, and MVP voters, taking notice.
“Coach McDaniels has talked to me about improving and getting better in practice as you reach the end of the season and reach the playoff time,” Maye explained earlier in the week. “That translates to the game. So it’s really big on continuing a little winning streak these last couple games, heading into the playoffs feeling good about ourselves, and feeling like we’ve still got some work to do.”
Despite the euphoria of clinching a playoff spot, Maye’s focus remains on improvement. He’s been candid about his need to clean up ball security after last week’s interception, a lost fumble, and a near-disastrous handoff. “There were times I feel like I put the team in a bad spot ... things in the game that made me want to punch a wall,” he admitted. Such self-awareness is rare in a young quarterback, and it’s clear Maye is holding himself to a championship standard.
That drive for perfection is echoed throughout the Patriots’ locker room. Right guard Mike Onwenu pointed to the need for greater consistency in the running game, noting, “It’s there, it’s just the consistency. As we get into the season, there’s more tape and every team is going to scheme and watch our plays, and formations, and what runs we tend to do.”
Special teams have also been under the microscope. Linebacker Christian Elliss highlighted kickoff coverage as an area for improvement, especially after a rough outing against the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. “We put our defense in a tough spot, allowing them past the 50 three times with a short field. We need to make sure we’re supporting the defense better,” Elliss said.
Defensive tackle Cory Durden and safety Craig Woodson both zeroed in on the defense’s struggles, particularly against the run and in the red zone. “These last few weeks, teams have been finding success on us, so just getting back to how we were doing it effectively earlier—team defense. The mentality is still the same, it’s just execution,” Durden stated. Woodson added, “Not that teams are getting down there that much, but when they do, we have to get a stop. We have to be good on our communication and execution. And then it’s making plays, because honestly there are times we’re in position and you have to do it. That’s what we get paid to do, win those one-on-one matchups.”
With the regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins looming, the NFL is set to finalize the date and time for the Patriots’ last home game by Sunday night. The scheduling could have significant implications for playoff seeding, especially if the Denver Broncos remain in contention for the AFC’s top spot. All eyes will be on the league’s announcement, as fans wonder whether the Patriots-Dolphins and Broncos-Chargers matchups will kick off simultaneously.
Off the field, the Patriots continue to benefit from the wisdom of retired running backs coach Ivan Fears, whose presence is still felt in the locker room. Current running backs coach Tony Dews has leaned on Fears’ expertise, and running back Rhamondre Stevenson credits him for keeping players sharp. Stevenson’s 21-yard touchdown run and key blitz pickups were instrumental in the comeback against Baltimore, but Fears was quick to point out a missed block that led to a Maye fumble. “Once a coach, always a coach,” Stevenson joked.
The Patriots’ special teams unit also sparked conversation this week, as dynamic punt returner Marcus Jones was left off the Pro Bowl roster despite averaging 17.3 yards on 21 returns (with two touchdowns). “I think Marcus has had a hell of a year and I think he’s a Pro Bowler. I’m glad he’s our returner and glad he’s helped us out. But sometimes that just doesn’t happen,” said coach Mike Vrabel.
Injury woes at receiver could open the door for undrafted rookie Efton Chism III to see more snaps behind Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams. Chism, who has yet to record a reception, is relishing the opportunity to practice against some of the league’s best defensive backs. “One of the biggest things for me is when I’m going against Marcus Jones, CD [Carlton Davis III] and Gonzo [Christian Gonzalez] every day, it’s making me a better player,” Chism said. “So when I get into a game, it’s going to be like, ‘I’m [already] going against some of the best guys to do it in the league right now.’”
On the contract front, the Patriots extended reserve center/guard Ben Brown for two years, a deal worth a base $5 million and a maximum of $6.6 million, avoiding restricted free agency. Linebacker Jack Gibbens, another 2026 restricted free agent, could be next in line for a similar extension. Meanwhile, the team recouped a seventh-round pick from the 49ers after defensive lineman Keion White met the playing time requirement.
Injury updates remain a concern, with reserve cornerback Alex Austin eligible to return next week after practicing with a cast following wrist surgery. The Patriots’ offensive line depth was also tested last week, with Caedan Wallace nearly pressed into emergency right tackle duty after injuries to starters.
With Maye just 53 yards away from becoming the first Patriots quarterback since Tom Brady in 2019 to surpass 4,000 passing yards in a season, history is within reach. The MVP race is white-hot, with Rams QB Matthew Stafford holding a slim lead in the odds. Maye’s path to the trophy likely hinges on his performance in the final two games against the Jets and Dolphins—both winnable contests that could cement his status as one of the league’s elite signal-callers.
As the Patriots prepare for their clash with the Jets, the team’s focus is clear: finish strong, fix the details, and ride the momentum into January. Whether or not Maye claims the MVP hardware this year, New England has found its franchise quarterback, and the rest of the AFC should be on notice. The story is still unfolding, and with the postseason on the horizon, the Patriots’ journey is far from over.
