New England Patriots: Are They Super Bowl Contenders?
New England Patriots are doing more than just winning football games. They are dominating the field with momentum, swagger, and, suddenly, explosive offensive firepower. Their 27–14 victory over the New York Jets on Thursday night marked their eighth straight win, pushing them to 9–2 and firmly back into the national conversation.
But this win felt different. It wasn’t just another notch in the streak. It was the unveiling of a new offensive wrinkle, one that could shift New England’s entire ceiling.
Enter TreVeyon Henderson, the rookie running back who erupted for three total touchdowns and instantly changed how defenses must prepare for the Patriots. Combine that with Drake Maye’s red-hot MVP campaign, and for the first time in years, Patriots fans aren’t just asking “Can we make the playoffs?” They’re asking:
“Could this team actually win the Super Bowl?”
Let’s break it down.
Where Do the Patriots Stack Up in the Super Bowl Race?
Sportsbooks currently list New England at +2000 to win the Super Bowl, the 11th-shortest odds in the league. The teams ahead of them read like a who’s-who of established contenders:
- Chiefs
- Eagles
- Rams
- Lions
- Seahawks
- Bills
- Colts
- Packers
- Ravens
- Broncos
On paper, New England sits outside the true “elite” tier, but, let’s not forget, context matters.
What’s the knock on the Patriots?
Their schedule. Critics point out that New England has beaten only one team on that list: the Buffalo Bills.
To be fair, that win was massive, a prime-time road victory against their biggest division rival. But outside of Buffalo, their other “quality” win is last week’s victory over Tampa Bay, a projected playoff team but not a title threat. What lies ahead?
The Patriots’ remaining schedule includes:
- Bengals
- Giants
- Bills
- Ravens
- Jets
- Dolphins
Of those teams, only Buffalo is currently projected to make the postseason. That means New England may not face another elite opponent until the playoffs, giving them a clear path to 12+ wins.
Is that a weakness… or a hidden advantage? We’ll get there.
Drake Maye: The Engine Behind New England’s Rise
If the Patriots are potential Super Bowl contenders, it starts with Drake Maye, who has undergone a year-two transformation few could have predicted.
Maye’s 2025 season so far:
- 71.9% completion rate
- 2,836 passing yards
- 20 passing touchdowns
- 285 rushing yards
- 2 rushing touchdowns
Maye’s dual-threat skillset has changed everything. Defenses that fail to assign a QB spy get punished on the ground; those that do get shredded through the air. The balance has been lethal.
He’s now the MVP frontrunner, making him the first Patriot likely to win the award since Tom Brady in 2017.
The comparisons are inevitable
Patriots fans can’t help but see shades of Brady in Maye’s command of the offense. But stylistically?
Maye resembles last year’s NFL MVP Josh Allen: a blend of power, mobility, and improvisation that makes him impossible to scheme.
The most important part:
The locker room believes in him. The fanbase believes in him. And Maye is playing like a quarterback who can carry a franchise deep into January.
TreVeyon Henderson: The Missing Piece?
New England has spent years searching for an offensive playmaker who could take pressure off their quarterback.
They may have finally found one.
Henderson’s three-touchdown eruption against the Jets didn’t just showcase his athleticism. It showed how his burst, vision, and receiving ability unlock new offensive dimensions for coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
If Henderson continues ascending, he becomes the type of weapon playoff teams fear:
A running back who can score from anywhere on the field.
Pair a dynamic RB with an MVP-caliber QB, and suddenly, the Patriots offense doesn’t just look improved. It looks dangerous to say the least.
Can the Patriots Deliver in the Postseason?
The Patriots haven’t made the playoffs since 2021, the end of the short-lived Mac Jones era. For a franchise built on dominance, missing three straight postseasons felt like a lifetime.
Now at 9–2, the drought is over. The question isn’t whether they’ll get in.
The real question: can they win once they do?
Their best path involves securing the #1 seed in the AFC, which feels possible given their soft remaining schedule. Foxborough in January remains one of football’s toughest environments… and if New England earns home-field advantage, every contender from Kansas City to Baltimore will be in for a fight.
The Patriots don’t look like the dynastic monster they were under Brady. But they don’t have to.
They just need to be dangerous, unpredictable, and well-timed, traits they’re suddenly showing every week.
BullRush Sports: Prove Your NFL IQ
The Patriots aren’t just “frisky.” They aren’t just “ahead of schedule.”
They’re a 9–2 team with an MVP candidate, a breakout rookie weapon, and a schedule that could launch them straight into first place in the AFC.
Are they Super Bowl favorites? Not so fast, not yet.
But they’re closer than anyone expected, and if Drake Maye stays hot, don’t be surprised if New England becomes the playoff team nobody wants to face.
Think you know how the Patriots’ season ends? Prove it.
Join BullRush Sports and turn your predictions into prizes.
New England Patriots: FAQs
Q: Are the Patriots legitimate Super Bowl contenders?
They aren’t favorites yet, but their combination of elite QB play, rising offensive talent, and a favorable remaining schedule makes them a dark-horse contender.
Q: Is Drake Maye really the MVP frontrunner?
Yes. His accuracy, efficiency, and rushing ability, combined with New England’s 9–2 record, put him at the top of the discussion.
Q: How good is TreVeyon Henderson?
His breakout three-touchdown performance showcased explosive potential. If sustained, he becomes a real X-factor for New England’s playoff run.
Q: What is New England’s biggest obstacle?
Proving they can beat elite teams. Their resume lacks top-tier wins, which is why sportsbooks still hesitate.
Q: How favorable is the Patriots’ remaining schedule?
Extremely. Only one opponent, Buffalo, is currently projected to make the playoffs.
