Are Super Bowl-bound Patriots overrated? Analyst offers compelling case

Adam Schultz

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Are Super Bowl-bound Patriots overrated? Analyst offers compelling case image

The New England Patriots are Super Bowl-bound in Mike Vrabel's first year as head coach, and one would think that after going 14-3 in the regular season, New England is a good team.

Well, some have their doubts.

Why? Well, the Patriots had one of the easiest schedules in 2025, and just looking at their playoff wins, they haven't been against top teams, at least offensively.

And for CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan, despite the Patriots being in the Super Bowl, they haven't silenced their doubters.

"While Maye and the Patriots offense have managed to outlast several elite units, New England's path also included facing Justin Herbert behind an injured offensive line, C.J. Stroud, who threw four interceptions in the divisional round, and Jarrett Stidham, a backup pressed into action after Bo Nix got hurt," Sullivan wrote.

"Those circumstances may still leave some questioning just how good the Patriots really are, even though they are now one win away from a championship."

More: Sean Payton's 'two weeks' quote backfires as Patriots slay Broncos

Are Patriots overrated?

That is a hard thing to answer.

Because what Sullivan rolled out is fair. But the other side of the coin is that the Patriots can only play those ahead of them.

They have no control over it.

Plus, you still have to play well in those games, and you can make the case that, especially offensively, the Patriots and Drake Maye have done just enough to win, and at this time of the year, that's all you need.

No one cares about style points because, as we saw with Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, they played well, yet still lost.

So, there is a case to be made that the Patriots aren't "that" good, but if they win the Super Bowl, I'm fairly certain they won't care at all.

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