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2025 New England Patriots season

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2025 New England Patriots season
OwnerRobert Kraft
General managerEliot Wolf
Head coachMike Vrabel
Home stadiumGillette Stadium
Results
Record14–3
Division place1st AFC East
PlayoffsWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Chargers) 16–3
TBD Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Texans)
All-ProsQB Drake Maye (2nd team)
PR Marcus Jones (2nd team)
Pro BowlersQB Drake Maye
CB Christian Gonzalez
Uniform

The 2025 season is the New England Patriots' 56th in the National Football League (NFL), their 66th overall, their second under de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and their first under head coach Mike Vrabel. The Patriots clinched their first winning season since 2021 with a Week 11 victory over the division rival New York Jets, and guaranteed they would exceed their combined win total for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. With a Week 16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the Patriots made the playoffs for the first time since 2021 under Bill Belichick. Their Week 17 victory over the Jets, combined with a Bills loss that same week, gave the Patriots their first AFC East championship since 2019, their first AFC East Championship without Tom Brady or Bill Belichick since 1997. Their Week 18 victory over the Miami Dolphins tied them for the largest single-season turnaround in NFL history, at 10 games. The Patriots earned the No. 2 seed, finishing tied with the Denver Broncos for the No. 1 seed; however, Denver earned the No. 1 seed based on the common opponents tiebreaker.

This season began with the Patriots' third head coach in as many seasons following the dismissal of first-year head coach Jerod Mayo after the final game of the 2024 season. Patriots Hall of Fame inductee Mike Vrabel, who played for the team from 2001 to 2008, was hired as the franchise's 16th head coach on January 12. Before coaching New England, Vrabel was head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023.

With the retirement of center David Andrews and the release of long snapper Joe Cardona, linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, defensive end Deatrich Wise, cornerback Jonathan Jones, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett, this is the Patriots' first season since 1992 that their roster had no players who won, or would go on to win, a Super Bowl with the Patriots. Furthermore, this is the first season since 1970 when they were the Boston Patriots that their roster is not made up of anyone who went to any of their 11 Super Bowls. The Patriots' 11–2 start is their best since they started 11–2 in 2016, and they are the first NFL team to have such a start after two consecutive 13–loss seasons since the 1999 Indianapolis Colts. This is also their first season with 10 consecutive wins since 2015, and their first with both a 4,000 yard passer and 1,000 yard receiver since 2019. In addition, the 2025 Patriots had the second easiest schedule since league realignment in 2002; its historically low strength of schedule was .391 and the team played only three regular-season games against opponents that finished with winning records (Pittsburgh once and Buffalo twice). Only the 2007 Seattle Seahawks had an easier schedule since the league realignment.

Upon reaching 14 wins during the season, the Patriots stood at 596 total wins; they were the first team originating in the American Football League to reach 500 total wins, and were closing in on becoming the first AFL team to reach 600.

Roster changes

[edit]

Free agency

[edit]

Unrestricted

[edit]
Position Player 2025 team Date signed Contract
QB Jacoby Brissett Arizona Cardinals March 14, 2025[1] 2 years, $12.5 million[2]
G Lester Cotton
DT Daniel Ekuale Pittsburgh Steelers March 19, 2025[3] 1 year, $2.8 million[4]
RB JaMycal Hasty New England Patriots August 5, 2025[5] 1 year, $1.17 million[6]
S Jaylinn Hawkins New England Patriots March 13, 2025[7] 1 year, $1.8 million[8]
TE Austin Hooper New England Patriots March 14, 2025[9] 1 year, $5 million[10]
CB Jonathan Jones Washington Commanders March 14, 2025[11] 1 year, $5.5 million[12]
K Joey Slye Tennessee Titans March 24, 2025[13] 1 year, $1.295 million[14]
DE Deatrich Wise Jr. Washington Commanders March 19, 2025[15] 1 year, $3.25 million[16]
LB Oshane Ximines

Restricted

[edit]
Position Player 2025 team Date signed Contract
LB Christian Elliss New England Patriots March 25, 2025[17] 2 years, $13.508 million[18]

Exclusive Rights

[edit]
Position Player 2025 team Date signed Contract
CB Alex Austin New England Patriots TBC 1 year, $1.03 million[19]
C Ben Brown New England Patriots TBC 1 year, $1.03 million[20]
OT Demontrey Jacobs New England Patriots TBC 1 year, $960,000[21]
DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. New England Patriots TBC 2 years, $2.475 million[22]

Signings/waiver claims

[edit]
Position Player Previous team Date signed Contract
OLB Harold Landry Tennessee Titans March 12, 2025[23] 3 years, $43.5 million[24]
CB Carlton Davis Detroit Lions March 13, 2025[25] 3 years, $54 million[26]
OT Morgan Moses New York Jets 3 years, $24 million[27]
ILB Robert Spillane Las Vegas Raiders 3 years, $33 million[28]
DT Milton Williams Philadelphia Eagles 4 years, $104 million[29]
S Marcus Epps Las Vegas Raiders March 14, 2025[9] 1 year, $2.025 million[30]
WR Mack Hollins Buffalo Bills 2 years, $8.4 million[31]
NT Khyiris Tonga Arizona Cardinals 1 year, $2.1 million[32]
OLB K'Lavon Chaisson Las Vegas Raiders March 17, 2025[33] 1 year, $3.0 million[34]
G Wes Schweitzer New York Jets 1 year, $1.55 million[35]
QB Joshua Dobbs San Francisco 49ers March 18, 2025[36] 2 years, $8.0 million[37]
C Garrett Bradbury Minnesota Vikings March 19, 2025[38] 2 years, $9.5 million[39]
LB Jack Gibbens Tennessee Titans 1 year, $1.3 million[40]
WR Stefon Diggs Houston Texans March 28, 2025[41] 3 years, $63.5 million[42]
DT Isaiah Iton Tennessee Titans May 12, 2025[43] 1 year, $840,000[44]
RB Trayveon Williams Cincinnati Bengals May 14, 2025[45] 1 year, $1.17 million[46]
OT Yasir Durant DC Defenders June 24, 2025[47] 1 year, $1.03 million[48]
DT David Olajiga Los Angeles Rams July 20, 2025[49] 1 year, $840,000[50]
TE Tyler Davis Green Bay Packers July 30, 2025[5] 1 year, $1.1 million[51]
TE Cole Fotheringham Denver Broncos 1 year, $840,000[52]
C Alec Lindstrom Memphis Showboats 1 year, $960,000[53]
CB Tre Avery San Francisco 49ers August 5, 2025[5] 1 year, $1.1 million[54]
RB Deneric Prince Memphis Showboats August 10, 2025[5] 1 year, $960,000[55]
NT Kyle Peko Detroit Lions August 11, 2025[56] 1 year, $1.255 million[57]
QB Tommy DeVito New York Giants August 27, 2025[58] 1 year, $1.03 million[59]
CB Charles Woods Los Angeles Rams 1 year, $960,000[60]

Releases/waivers

[edit]
Position Player Date released/waived
LB Sione Takitaki February 19, 2025[61]
C David Andrews March 13, 2025[62]
LB Curtis Jacobs March 21, 2025[63]
OT Caleb Jones
LB Andrew Parker Jr.
C Lecitus Smith
LB Ja'Whaun Bentley March 28, 2025[64]
C Jake Andrews April 28, 2025[65]
DT Marcus Harris
WR JaQuae Jackson
LB Titus Leo
S Mark Perry
TE Giovanni Ricci
LS Joe Cardona April 29, 2025[66]
OT Cole Birdow May 12, 2025[43]
DT Eric Johnson II May 14, 2025[45]
DT Wilfried Pene June 26, 2025[67]
WR Demeer Blankumsee July 30, 2025[5]
OT Yasir Durant
RB Trayveon Williams
TE Tyler Davis August 5, 2025[5]
S Josh Minkins August 10, 2025[5]
DT Bryce Ganious August 11, 2025[56]
RB Deneric Prince August 12, 2025[68]
DT Isaiah Iton August 18, 2025[69]
CB Tre Avery August 19, 2025[70]
DE Jereme Robinson
TE Jaheim Bell August 22, 2025[71]
RB Micah Bernard
DT Philip Blidi
CB Isaiah Bolden
TE Cole Fotheringham
WR Phil Lutz
LB R.J. Moten
DT Kyle Peko
CB Jordan Polk
LB Monty Rice
OG Tyrese Robinson
OG Sidy Sow
RB Shane Watts
QB Ben Wooldridge
OG Layden Robinson August 24, 2025[72]
CB Miles Battle August 26, 2025[69]
OG Mehki Butler
OG Jack Conley
CB Brandon Crossley
TE CJ Dippre
S Marcus Epps
RB JaMycal Hasty
OT Demontrey Jacobs
RB Terrell Jennings
WR John Jiles
DE Truman Jones
C Alec Lindstrom
CB Kobee Minor
DT David Olajiga
LB Cam Riley
DT Jahvaree Ritzie
K John Parker Romo
TE Gee Scott Jr.
OG Cole Strange
LB Bradyn Swinson
WR Jeremiah Webb
WR Javon Baker August 27, 2025[58]
WR Kendrick Bourne
S Jabrill Peppers August 29, 2025[73]
C Brenden Jaimes December 29, 2025[74]
CB Miles Battle
DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. January 3, 2026[75]
RB D'Ernest Johnson January 12, 2026[76]

Retirements

[edit]
Position Player Date released/waived
G Wes Schweitzer June 10, 2025[77]

Trades

[edit]

Draft

[edit]
Main article: 2025 NFL draft
2025 New England Patriots draft selections
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
1 4 Will Campbell OT LSU
2 38 TreVeyon Henderson RB Ohio State
3 69 Kyle Williams WR Washington State
95 Jared Wilson C Georgia From Chiefs[A]
4 106 Craig Woodson S California
137 Joshua Farmer DT Florida State From Seahawks[B]
5 146 Bradyn Swinson DE LSU From Carolina[C]
6 182 Andrés Borregales K Miami From Jaguars via Lions[D]
7 220 Marcus Bryant OT Missouri
251 Julian Ashby LS Vanderbilt From Chiefs[E]
257 Kobee Minor CB Memphis From Chiefs[E]
2025 New England Patriots undrafted free agents
Name Position College Ref.
Cole Birdow OT Merrimack [83]
Demeer Blankumsee WR Memphis
Efton Chism WR Eastern Washington
Jack Conley OG Boston College
Brandon Crossley CB SMU
CJ Dippre TE Alabama
Brock Lampe FB Northern Illinois
Lan Larison RB UC Davis
Josh Minkins S Cincinnati
Jordan Polk CB Texas State
Elijah Ponder LB Cal Poly
Cam Riley LB Florida State
Jahvaree Ritzie DT North Carolina
Gee Scott Jr. TE Ohio State
Jeremiah Webb WR South Alabama
Ben Wooldridge QB Louisiana
Mehki Butler OG Arkansas State [43]
Wilfried Pene DT Virginia Tech
R.J. Moten LB Florida [84]
Bryce Ganious DT Wake Forest [5]
Jereme Robinson DE Kansas [5]
Shane Watts RB Fort Hays State [68]
Phil Lutz WR Delaware [69]
Micah Bernard RB Utah [70]
Philip Blidi DT Auburn

Draft trades

  1. ^ The Patriots traded a third-round selection (85th overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a third-round selection (95th overall) and a 2026 fourth-round selection.
  2. ^ The Patriots traded fifth- and seventh-round selections (144th and 238th overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a fourth-round selection (137th overall).
  3. ^ The Patriots traded a third-round selection (77th overall) to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for third- and fifth-round selections (85th and 146th overall).
  4. ^ The Patriots traded a fifth-round selection (171st overall) to the Detroit Lions in exchange for sixth- and seventh-round selections (182nd and 228th overall).
  5. ^ a b The Patriots traded a seventh-round selection (228th overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for two seventh-round selections (251st and 257th overall).

Staff

[edit]
New England Patriots staff
Front office
  • Chairman/CEO – Robert Kraft
  • President – Jonathan Kraft
  • Executive vice president of player personnel – Eliot Wolf
  • Vice president of player personnel – Ryan Cowden
  • Vice president of football administration – Matt Groh
  • Assistant director of pro personnel – Sam Fioroni
  • Director of pro scouting – AJ Highsmith
  • Director of college scouting – Tony Kinkela
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Matt Evans
  • Director of scouting administration – Nancy Meier
  • Vice president of football operations and strategy – John Streicher
  • Director of scouting projects – Marshall Oium
  • Director of coaching analytics – Ekene Olekanma
  • Director of player development – James Mitchell
  • Personnel coordinator – Brian Smith
  • Senior personnel executive – Alonzo Highsmith
  • Director of Research – Richard Miller
  • Director of football operations – Bobby Brown
Head coach
Offensive coaches
  
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Terrell Williams
  • Inside linebackers – Zak Kuhr
  • Defensive line – Clint McMillan
  • Outside linebackers – Mike Smith
  • Cornerbacks – Justin Hamilton
  • Safeties – Scott Booker
  • Senior defensive assistant – Ben McAdoo
  • Defensive assistant – Vinny DePalma
  • Defensive assistant – Milton Patterson
  • Defensive assistant – Kevin Richardson
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
  • Director of sports performance – Frank Piraino
  • Strength and conditioning – Deron Mayo
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Brian McDonough


→ Coaching staff
→ Front office
→ More NFL staffs

Current roster

[edit]
New England Patriots roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Preseason

[edit]

On August 8, prior to the team's first preseason game, the statue of Tom Brady was unveiled outside of Gillette Stadium, with Tom Brady in attendance.[85]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 8 Washington Commanders W 48–18 1–0 Gillette Stadium Recap
2 August 16 at Minnesota Vikings W 20–12 2–0 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
3 August 21 at New York Giants L 10–42 2–1 MetLife Stadium Recap

Regular season

[edit]

Schedule

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 7 Las Vegas Raiders L 13–20 0–1 Gillette Stadium Recap
2 September 14 at Miami Dolphins W 33–27 1–1 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
3 September 21 Pittsburgh Steelers L 14–21 1–2 Gillette Stadium Recap
4 September 28 Carolina Panthers W 42–13 2–2 Gillette Stadium Recap
5 October 5 at Buffalo Bills W 23–20 3–2 Highmark Stadium Recap
6 October 12 at New Orleans Saints W 25–19 4–2 Caesars Superdome Recap
7 October 19 at Tennessee Titans W 31–13 5–2 Nissan Stadium Recap
8 October 26 Cleveland Browns W 32–13 6–2 Gillette Stadium Recap
9 November 2 Atlanta Falcons W 24–23 7–2 Gillette Stadium Recap
10 November 9 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 28–23 8–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
11 November 13 New York Jets W 27–14 9–2 Gillette Stadium Recap
12 November 23 at Cincinnati Bengals W 26–20 10–2 Paycor Stadium Recap
13 December 1 New York Giants W 33–15 11–2 Gillette Stadium Recap
14 Bye
15 December 14 Buffalo Bills L 31–35 11–3 Gillette Stadium Recap
16 December 21 at Baltimore Ravens W 28–24 12–3 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
17 December 28 at New York Jets W 42–10 13–3 MetLife Stadium Recap
18 January 4 Miami Dolphins W 38–10 14–3 Gillette Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

[edit]

Week 1: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

[edit]
Week 1: Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Raiders 7 0 10320
Patriots 7 3 0313

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

This was the Pats' first home loss to the Raiders since 1994, and fifth consecutive season losing their home opener.[86] This was the third time they lost to the Raiders since 2022.

Week 2: at Miami Dolphins

[edit]
Week 2: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 12 3 81033
Dolphins 0 14 6727

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

With their first win in Miami since 2019 (first overall since 2022) the Patriots improved to 1–1 and they got their first win over Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (previously 0–7).[87]

Week 3: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

[edit]
Week 3: Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 7 0721
Patriots 0 7 0714

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

The Patriots committed five turnovers in their loss to the Steelers, falling to 1–2 and suffering their first home defeat to Pittsburgh since the 2008 season.[88] In addition, it was New England's first loss to the Steelers since 2018, snapping a three game win streak against them.

Week 4: vs. Carolina Panthers

[edit]
Week 4: Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 6 0 0713
Patriots 7 21 7742

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

With a convincing win over the Carolina Panthers, which also the most points the team scored since 2021, the Patriots improved to 2–2 on the season while securing their first home win of the season and first win at home against the Panthers since 2009.

Week 5: at Buffalo Bills

[edit]
Week 5: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 3 3 71023
Bills 0 3 71020

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

With their final win at Highmark Stadium, the Patriots secured back-to-back wins for the first time since 2022, as well as their second straight win over the Bills who were the last undefeated team in the NFL, to improve to 3–2, their best start through five games since 2019.[89][90]

Unfortunately for the Patriots, Antonio Gibson would be lost for the season with an ACL tear.

Week 6: at New Orleans Saints

[edit]
Week 6: New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 14 8 3025
Saints 6 10 0319

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: October 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,042
  • Referee: Adrian Hill
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Aditi Kinkhabwala
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With their first win over New Orleans since 2017, the Patriots secure their first three-game win streak since 2022 to improve to 4–2, matching their win total (4) from each of the preceding two seasons. The Falcons win over Buffalo on Monday would give New England their first division lead since 2021.

Week 7: at Tennessee Titans

[edit]
Week 7: New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 3 14 14031
Titans 10 3 0013

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: October 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 67,410
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Charles Davis, Jason McCourty and A.J Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

This game was head coach Mike Vrabel's first return to Tennessee since the Titans fired him after the 2023 season.[91] With their first win in Nashville since 2012, the Patriots improved their record to 5–2, surpassing their win totals from both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.[92] Mike Vrabel became the first head coach in Patriots history to win his first four road games.

Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns

[edit]
Week 8: Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 7 0 0613
Patriots 3 6 21232

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: October 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 53 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,628
  • Referee: Alex Moore
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers and Mark Schlereth
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Despite surrendering five sacks to Myles Garrett, the most the team has given up to one player in franchise history, the Patriots were able to defeat the Browns for the 6th time since 2013. With their 7th home victory against Cleveland since 1995, the Patriots secured their 5th straight win to improve to 6–2.[93]

Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons

[edit]
Week 9: Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 7 0923
Patriots 7 14 3024

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: November 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 52 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,628
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Charles Davis, Jason McCourty and A.J Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With their 9th victory over Atlanta since 2001, the Patriots improved to 3–0 against the NFC South and tied the Broncos and Colts for the best record in the NFL at 7–2.

Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]
Week 10: New England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 7 7728
Buccaneers 7 3 6723

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

With their seventh straight win, the Patriots improved to 8–2 and swept an NFC division for the first time since sweeping the NFC East in 2019. This was also the first time the Patriots swept the NFC South.

Week 11: vs. New York Jets

[edit]
Week 11: New York Jets at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jets 7 0 7014
Patriots 0 14 7627

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

With their 8th straight win, longest since 2019, the Patriots improved to 9–2 for the first time since 2017 and 3–0 against the AFC East, while also securing their first winning season since 2021. The Patriots extended their winning streak against their fellow AFC East teams at home to three games, winning streak against their fellow AFC East teams regardless of location to four games, and both their home and overall winning streak against the Jets to two games.

Week 12: at Cincinnati Bengals

[edit]
Week 12: New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 17 3626
Bengals 3 10 0720

at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

With their 9th straight win (second straight against Cincinnati), the Patriots improved to 10–2 record, as well as a 2–1 record against the AFC North. The Patriots also extended their winning streak on the road to 6 games.

Week 13: vs. New York Giants

[edit]
Week 13: New York Giants at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 7 0815
Patriots 17 13 0333

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

With their 10th straight win, their longest win streak since 2015, the Patriots improved to 11–2 (the most wins they had since 2019) their best record through 13 games since 2016, and they finished 5–0 against the NFC entering their bye. The Patriots also became the first team since the 1999 Colts to have a 10 game win streak after a 13 loss season. This was also their first win in the Pat Patriot uniforms since Week 5 of the 2022 season, officially snapping a six-game losing streak in them.

Week 15: vs. Buffalo Bills

[edit]
Week 15: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 7 141435
Patriots 14 10 0731

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Snow, 32 °F (0 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,628
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, J.J. Watt and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With an opportunity to clinch the AFC East title for the first time since 2019 by defeating the Bills, the Patriots built a 21–0 lead and held a 24–7 lead at halftime. However, despite a strong running game, New England was outscored 28–7 in the second half as Drake Maye was held under 200 passing yards for the first time all season. With their first loss since Week 3, New England’s 10-game winning streak was snapped, and the team fell to 11–3 overall and 3–1 in the AFC East. This was the 13th straight year they failed to sweep the AFC East.

The 21-point blown lead was their largest since a similar instance in which they lost a 21-point first-half lead against the Bills during the 2011 season.[94] Their 21-point lead was the largest the Pats had squandered at home since 1978.[95] The loss also snapped the Patriots’ 120-game home winning streak when leading by 17 or more points, the longest streak in NFL history.[96]

Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens

[edit]
Week 16: New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 10 31528
Ravens 7 3 7724

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear, 40 °F (4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,709
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, and Melissa Stark
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

At the end of the half, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was taken out of the game with a back injury and was later ruled out.[97] In the fourth quarter, Ravens running back Derrick Henry rushed for a touchdown to give the Ravens a 24–13 lead. Drake Maye then rallied the Patriots, throwing two touchdown passes to give New England a 28–24 lead. On Baltimore’s next drive, Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers fumbled, and the Patriots ran out the clock to secure the win.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 12–3, finishing 3–1 against the AFC North, and clinched their first playoff berth since 2021.[98]

Week 17: at New York Jets

[edit]
Week 17: New England Patriots at New York Jets – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 14 21 7042
Jets 0 3 0710

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

With their first sweep over the Jets since 2022, the Patriots improved to 13–3 (4–1 against the AFC East) and finished 8–0 on the road for the third time in franchise history (first since 2016).[99]

In addition, Philadelphia's 13–12 win over Buffalo later that day resulted in the Patriots clinching the AFC East for the first time since 2019.[100]

Week 18: vs. Miami Dolphins

[edit]
Week 18: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 10 0010
Patriots 14 3 14738

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

With this win, the Patriots swept their games against the Dolphins for the first time since 2016. Their 14–3 finish, their best since 2016, was tied for best record in the conference with Denver (and in the league with Seattle), but the Patriots failed to clinch the #1 seed for the eighth straight year; the Broncos won the tiebreaker on common opponents. The Patriots instead clinched the #2 seed. New England ended their regular season with a 5–1 record against the AFC East and 6–3 at home.

Standings

[edit]

Division

[edit]
AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) New England Patriots 14 3 0 .824 5–1 9–3 490 320 W3
(6) Buffalo Bills 12 5 0 .706 4–2 9–3 481 365 W1
Miami Dolphins 7 10 0 .412 3–3 3–9 347 424 L1
New York Jets 3 14 0 .176 0–6 2–10 300 503 L5

Conference

[edit]
AFC
Seed Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[a] Denver Broncos West 14 3 0 .824 5–1 9–3 .422 .378 W2
2[a] New England Patriots East 14 3 0 .824 5–1 9–3 .391 .370 W3
3 Jacksonville Jaguars South 13 4 0 .765 5–1 10–2 .478 .425 W8
4 Pittsburgh Steelers North 10 7 0 .588 4–2 8–4 .503 .453 W1
Wild cards
5[b] Houston Texans South 12 5 0 .706 5–1 10–2 .522 .441 W9
6[b] Buffalo Bills East 12 5 0 .706 4–2 9–3 .471 .412 W1
7 Los Angeles Chargers West 11 6 0 .647 5–1 8–4 .469 .425 L2
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[c] Indianapolis Colts South 8 9 0 .471 2–4 6–6 .540 .382 L7
9[c] Baltimore Ravens North 8 9 0 .471 3–3 5–7 .507 .408 L1
10 Miami Dolphins East 7 10 0 .412 3–3 3–9 .488 .378 L1
11[d] Cincinnati Bengals North 6 11 0 .353 3–3 5–7 .521 .451 L1
12[d] Kansas City Chiefs West 6 11 0 .353 1–5 3–9 .514 .363 L6
13 Cleveland Browns North 5 12 0 .294 2–4 4–8 .486 .418 W2
14[e] Las Vegas Raiders West 3 14 0 .176 1–5 3–9 .538 .451 W1
15[e][f] New York Jets East 3 14 0 .176 0–6 2–10 .552 .373 L5
16[e][f] Tennessee Titans South 3 14 0 .176 0–6 2–10 .574 .275 L2

Postseason

[edit]
See also: 2025–26 NFL playoffs

Schedule

[edit]
Round Date Time (EST) Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue TV Recap
Wild Card January 11 8:15 p.m. Los Angeles Chargers (7) W 16–3 1–0 Gillette Stadium NBC Recap
Divisional January 18 3:05 p.m. Houston Texans (5) Gillette Stadium ESPN/ABC

Game summaries

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AFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (7) Los Angeles Chargers

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AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (7) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 3 003
Patriots 0 6 3716

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

With their first win over the Chargers since 2021, the Patriots secured their first playoff win in seven years, their last being Super Bowl LIII. This game coincidentally had a near identical score to that one and was also against a Los Angeles team, that time being the Rams. It was also their first Wild Card round victory since 2006.

AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (5) Houston Texans

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AFC Divisional Playoffs: (5) Houston Texans at (2) New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 0 000
Patriots 0 0 000

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

This will be the third time that the Texans play the Patriots in the playoffs and in the Divisional Round. The Patriots have won both games, these being in the 2012 and 2016 postseasons.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Denver finished ahead of New England based on common games (Denver 6–0 to New England 5–1 against: Cincinnati, Las Vegas, NY Giants, NY Jets and Tennessee).
  2. ^ a b Houston finished ahead of Buffalo based on head-to-head victory.
  3. ^ a b Indianapolis finished ahead of Baltimore based on conference record (Indianapolis 6–6 to Baltimore 5–7).
  4. ^ a b Cincinnati finished ahead of Kansas City based on conference record (Cincinnati 5–7 to Kansas City 3–9).
  5. ^ a b c Las Vegas finished ahead of NY Jets and Tennessee based on conference record (Las Vegas 3–9 to NY Jets 2–10 and Tennessee 2–10).
  6. ^ a b NY Jets finished ahead of Tennessee based on strength of victory (NY Jets .373 to Tennessee .275).

References

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