The New England Patriots improved to 11-2 with a 33-15 victory over the New York Giants, positioning them for the AFC's top seed. Coach Mike Vrabel's immediate impact has made him the heavy favorite to win NFL Coach of the Year honors for the second time.
The Patriots' turnaround from back-to-back 4-13 seasons has been remarkable under Vrabel, hired by owner Robert Kraft. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye has led the charge, topping the NFL with a 71.5% completion rate, 3,412 passing yards, and a 111.9 passer rating. He joins an elite group as the fifth second-year quarterback to win 10 straight starts, a list that includes John Elway, Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, and Lamar Jackson—all of whom later won NFL MVP or Super Bowl titles. Maye is currently favored for NFL MVP at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Vrabel, who previously won Coach of the Year in 2021 with the Tennessee Titans' 12-5 No. 1 seed season despite major injuries, has maximized New England's new additions. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson leads in rushing, free-agent Stefon Diggs in receiving, Robert Spillane in tackles, and Harold Landry in sacks. Veterans like cornerback Christian Gonzalez and new signing Carlton Davis have praised Vrabel's leadership.
"He came off being a cool guy, personable, players coach," Davis said, per ESPN. "Everybody kind of bought into it, and we kind of created this quick brotherhood and this bond between each other, where we want to play for each other. But we also want to play for him."
Despite the best record in the NFL, questions linger about the Patriots' strength of schedule, the easiest this season per CBS Sports Research. Key wins include a Week 5 upset at the Bills, though Buffalo has struggled. Losses came early to the Raiders and Steelers, with close games against the Saints, Bengals, and Falcons. The Giants win marked their first dominant performance since Week 8 over the Browns.
Upcoming tests include Week 15 at the Bills and Week 16 versus the Ravens. Current projections give New England an 88.1% chance to win the AFC East, 27.7% for the AFC Championship, and 13.6% for Super Bowl LX. While Super Bowl odds trail teams like the Eagles (+900) and Packers (+900), a first-round bye could bolster their playoff run.