The glass is overflowing; optimism is reality in New England

I like to consider myself a realist. That may sound like an awfully boring way to be (and it sometimes is) but that’s out of my hands. It’s how I am. Luckily for me (a Patriots fan in my mid-20s) being a realist meant that my expectations were always reached.

Before this season, I was just hoping for improvement. I’d love to squeak out anything close to seven or eight wins, but really I just wanted to see signs that the Patriots were going in the right direction. And yet, somehow, expectations I considered to be unattainably lofty before the season are now comfortably within reach. How do the Patriots do it?

The Patriots had the easiest schedule coming into 2024. I knew that. What I didn’t expect was how much easier it would look six weeks into the 2025 season.

Sitting atop the AFC East at 4-2 and riding a three-game winning streak which features an away victory against the Buffalo Bills, the road ahead looks eerily empty and freshly paved. Hit the gas and see how fast this car can go.

Let’s do a quick breakdown of the Patriots’ remaining schedule. I promise I’ll be quick.

Week 7 - at Tennessee Titans

I mean… do I need to say anything? If the Jets didn’t exist, the Titans would be the worst team in the league. They fired Head Coach Brian Callahan just this week. Was it because they couldn’t stomach watching Callahan get trounced by Mike Vrabel, the coach they inexplicably fired? Who’s to say (yes).

Week 8 - vs. Cleveland Browns

Let’s be serious. Dillon Gabriel (or maybe Shedeur Sanders) comes to Foxboro. The second rookie quarterback the Patriots face in as many weeks. Vrabel and this defense should eat him alive.

Week 9 - vs. Atlanta Falcons

Honestly, this one isn’t as easy as I would have hoped. The Falcons just beat the Bills in one of two Monday Night Football upsets. I wouldn’t be surprised if we find ourselves in a bit of a shootout, but I trust the better year-two quarterback in that case, and that’s Drake Maye.

Week 10 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ok. This one is tough. Maybe the injuries eventually catch up to the Bucs, but Baker Mayfield seems intent on not letting that happen. He might be the MVP if the voting happened today. This would be an amazing win if the Patriots can pull it off.

Week 11 - vs. New York Jets

Like I said, the Titans are lucky the Jets exist. But someone has to be the worst team in the league. Right now, that’s the 0-6 New York Jets.

Week 12 - at Cincinnati Bengals

I’m not sure what to think of this game, but a win looks a lot more likely than it did in the pre-season. 40-year-old Joe Flacco might be better than James Browning was, but the Bengals are not nearly what they were expected to be. Maybe the Bengals talent can make this a close game, but I like these Patriots to win.

Week 13 - vs. New York Giants

The Patriots are what the Giants think they are. I’m not buying tickets for the Jaxson Dart hype train. I don’t like living in a world where Cam Skattebo is outperforming TreVeyon Henderson, but unfortunately for the Giants that isn’t enough to get a win here.

Week 14 - Bye

We might even win the bye week at this point, anything is possible.

Week 15 - vs. Buffalo Bills

In my pea-sized realism brain, do I really think the Patriots can beat the Bills twice in one season? Not really. But who knows, it should be a close one in Foxborough.

Week 16 - at Ravens

It’s impossible to know what version of the Ravens team will show up. With Lamar sidelined, they’ve looked absolutely hapless. Assuming they’re closer to full strength by Week 16, I’d call this one somewhat unlikely.

Week 17 - at New York Jets

We did this already. Patriots win. Let’s get to Week 18 and wrap this thing up.

Week 18 - vs. Miami Dolphins

Mike McDaniel will likely be on a boat in the Mediterranean wearing really expensive Air Force 1s by the time this game rolls around. The Dolphins seem to be intent on imploding and running backwards to steal the “Worst Team in the League” title from the Jets.

This season is one where it seems like anyone can win. I know that. But even if I go through these games and try to be realistic, I’m seeing seven wins. Maybe eight. And in case you forgot, they’ve already won four.

If you had told me before the season that the Patriots had a realistic shot at finishing this season at 11-6 or 12-5, I would’ve checked you into a psych ward. I would’ve paid for your stay. The Patriots are currently inhabiting a bizarro-world in which everyone they have to play is getting worse while they get better.

I typically think the glass is both half-full and half-empty (because that’s how math works), but the Patriots’ glass might be starting to overflow.