The New England Patriots have been far and away one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 NFL season. After winning just four games last season, the addition of Mike Vrabel as the new head coach and the right pieces on offense have instantly transformed the franchise.
At 11-2, they look like the most consistent team in the AFC, as they sit atop the conference. Moreover, they have a legitimate MVP candidate and the possibility of making a deep playoff run. However, in their case, they could also have the privilege of getting a first-round bye with the way things are going.
Can the Patriots Remain the 1-Seed in the AFC?
With the playoff field expanding to seven teams in recent years, the one-seed in both conferences gets the coveted first-round bye, which gets them a de facto rest week at the conclusion of the regular season.
New England, at 11-2, is the one-seed in the conference as things currently stand. However, the Denver Broncos at 10-2 are breathing down their neck. As a result, the race for the top of the AFC is going to be a tight one between the two.
The advantage for the Patriots is a thriving offense that has a legitimate MVP candidate in Drake Maye. Ranking at number 2 on PFSN’s QB Impact, he has been one of the biggest reasons for the franchise’s transformation from last season.
Coming into Week 13, Maye threw for 3,130 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while amassing a passer rating above 100 in nine of his 13 encounters, including five games with a passer rating above 130.
Drake. Maye.@DrakeMaye2 | @k_mmoneyyyy | #ProBowlVote
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/FaddiUw5vF
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 2, 2025
Thanks to his exploits, the Patriots sit at the top of the AFC East with a comfortable margin over the Buffalo Bills, and the playoffs are essentially guaranteed for them. On PFSN’s Playoff Predictor, fans can get a detailed look at how the rest of the season is going to pan out.
That includes an estimate of how the playoffs will shape out, as well as the seed each team might hold going into the postseason. Factoring in the strength of schedule, the future looks bright for Maye and Co.
Currently sitting at 100% to make the playoffs, they also have an extremely high chance of 56.3% to be the one-seed in the AFC and get a first-round bye. With established juggernauts like the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Cincinnati Bengals at or under .500 after 13 weeks, a new team could rise in the conference.
And it looks like the Patriots have every chance of taking that mantle.
