To win a Super Bowl, Patriots have a long way to go

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has been fantastic in 2025. Entering Week 16, the 23-year-old has tossed 23 touchdowns to seven interceptions, and the Patriots (11-3) are contenders for a first-round playoff bye.

Maye's impressive season has made him a candidate for the Most Valuable Player award, but on Wednesday, he explained what is most important.

"Winning the Super Bowl is the biggest thing," Maye said. "I'd rather win that than win personal awards."  

Maye's modesty is commendable, but his goal may be far-fetched. New England has more issues than their stellar record indicates, and the squad has several obstacles between them and a Lombardi. 

Here's why:

They haven't proven much

New England's 35-31 loss against the Bills on Sunday raised questions.

Despite holding one of the NFL's best records, only two of the Patriots' wins (Panthers, Bills) have been against teams with a winning percentage over .500. The rest of New England's wins have been against some of the league's worst squads. That begs the question: is New England elite or the product of an easy schedule?

Of course, winning any game in a professional sport is difficult, but every Super Bowl team throughout NFL history has had multiple statement wins in the regular season. 

For example, in 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Ravens and Rams, who both went on to win their respective divisions. Similarly, in 2018, the Patriots had wins over elite teams like the Chiefs and Texans.

The fact that New England's regular season will finish without multiple difficult wins is concerning, and it muddies the claim that they are a Super Bowl-caliber team.

Where is the experience?

For a team to make a deep playoff run, it needs both talent and experience. The Patriots have the former but lack the latter, which could bring issues down the road.

While New England's offensive line features experienced players in tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury, the team's offensive skill positions are full of youth. 

Aside from wide receiver Stefon Diggs, New England's top offensive producers are WR Kayshon Boutte and running back TreVeyon Henderson. Both are 23 and have never taken a playoff snap.

That's not to mention Maye, the team's most important player, who is playing his first complete season.

To overcome their lack of playoff experience, New England will have to lean on head coach Mike Vrabel for adequate preparation. Vrabel has spent nearly 30 years involved in the NFL, and he will be a reliable source of advice.

Defensive health concerns

Cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones, and linebackers Harold Landry and Robert Spillane have been unhealthy all week. 

Although the playoffs are several weeks away, if New England's key defensive players continue to face nagging injuries, the overall strength of the defensive unit will greatly diminish.

If, at full strength, they conceded 35 points to the Bills, imagine a weakened Patriots' defense against other elite AFC teams.