After seeing flashes from rookie quarterback Drake Maye in 2024, the New England Patriots loaded up during the 2025 offseason with head coach Mike Vrabel at the helm.
Expectations for this season were high, but few were expecting New England to lead the AFC East and conference with an 11-2 record following a massive win in Week 13 on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants. With New England heading into the bye week atop the AFC, what does the 33-15 win do to the Patriots’ chances to secure the No. 1 seed?
Patriots’ Week 13 Win Keeps Them Atop the AFC Standings
The Patriots got off to a quick lead, as they went into the locker room at halftime with a 30-7 lead. While they only scored three points in the second half, they still shut the Giants down despite a touchdown and two-point conversion in the second half.
The 33-15 win brings them to 11-2 on the season, keeping them in front of the equally hot Denver Broncos at 10-2. Their records will draw even with New England getting a Week 14 bye. The Broncos also have a relatively easy Week 14 matchup heading to Sin City to take on the Las Vegas Raiders.
Drake. Maye.@DrakeMaye2 | @k_mmoneyyyy | #ProBowlVote
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/FaddiUw5vF
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 2, 2025
According to PFSN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, heading into the Week 13 Monday Night matchup, New England has a 99.7% chance to make the playoffs, an 89.4% chance to win the AFC East, a 50.3% chance to clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed, and an 18% chance to make the Super Bowl.
Following the Week 13 thrashing of the Giants, the Patriots’ chances to make the playoffs practically stayed the same, inching up the final .3% to a 100% chance. While they haven’t officially clinched a playoff spot, PFSN analytics clearly believe the chances of them missing are impossible.
As for their chances to win the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers limited how high the percentage could rise, but the Patriots’ chances are now at 88.4%. Meanwhile, despite the Broncos keeping pace, New England’s chances of clinching the No. 1 spot are now at 56.3%. Their chances of winning the Super Bowl are now at 9%.
They’ve looked fantastic despite having such a young core. Quarterback Drake Maye and the offense are on fire, scoring points with ease. According to PSFN’s Offense Impact metric, the offense ranks 10th in the league with a score of 80.7. The offseason additions have clearly played off as New England continues to set the pace in the AFC with no signs of slowing down.
