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The Eye on Foxborough Newsletter

Dec. 5, 2025

Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye (AP Photo)

Kicking off

The Patriots hit their bye week in a place no one could have possibly envisioned.

They're 11-2, the top team in the NFL, and riding a 10-game win streak after their Monday night prime-time win over the New York Giants.

That win spoke volumes about Mike Vrabel's team.

They seemed to be running on fumes after 12 straight weeks without a break. They were hit with significant injuries (Milton Williams, Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Khyiris Tonga) and not looking their best in Cincinnati a week ago.

But they came out like a house on fire, and made a statement with their performance.

With a national TV audience looking on, the Patriots showed off their might and toughness, knocking the Giants all over Gillette Stadium. They showed a level of physicality we hadn't seen all year. They ramped up their aggressiveness.

Couple that with the usual spectacular play of Drake Maye, who is one of the MVP favorites, and the Patriots put the league on notice.

What comes next, however, will reveal even more about this surprising Patriots team.

After this week's bye, they finish with Buffalo, Baltimore, the New York Jets and Miami.

The AFC's top speed is on the table.

And Vrabel's message to the team before the break zeroed in on the importance of what lies ahead.

“We’re not done. We’re not satisfied,” Vrabel said. “I think champions are never satisfied. I think you can appreciate where you are, but at the same time, never be satisfied or complacent.”

Here's some clips from the week: 

The Patriots have raised expectations through the roof, now they have to meet them

Mike Vrabel sends Patriots message about champions as team enters bye week

Drake Maye still thriving, still rising as Patriots win streak reaches 10 | Karen Guregian

Mike Vrabel’s culture change transformed Patriots into legit contenders | Mark Daniels

How one linebacker’s hit set tone for another decisive Patriots’ win

Patriots keep NFL’s best record, AFC East lead, closing in on clinching playoff berth

Drake Maye earns weekly NFL honor, first Patriots QB to do so since 2017

NFL Coach of the Year Mike Vrabel? Drake Maye thinks so

Patriots’ Drake Maye top vote-getter in NFL Pro Bowl voting

Patriots backup offensive linemen step up in Monday night win vs. Giants

‘I love that:’ Why Mike Vrabel was happy for under-the-radar Patriots starter after win over Giants

What has impressed Mike Vrabel about the most about Stefon Diggs? Patriots coach weighs in

How Jaxson Dart felt about huge hit from Patriots LB Christian Elliss

The evolution of Patriots’ Kayshon Boutte: From broken ankle to NFL success

Test your football knowledge against MassLive’s football experts by making picks each week in the Pro Football U Pick 'Em Challenge sponsored by MGM Springfield.

Follow along with our picks for every pro football game all season long in MassLive’s “Pro Football U Pick ‘Em Challenge” sponsored by MGM Springfield. You can test your football knowledge against our experts and win weekly and season-long prizes. You can still sign up and join the fun.

With no Patriots game to pick this week, Matt Vautour has agreed to pick the rest of the games against me with a  six-pack of beer on the line. 

Dolphins at Jets 

Matt - This is a pillow fight that only impacts draft order. Give me the Jets as the Dolphins can’t handle the cold. - Jets.

Karen - Cold be damned. It's still the J.E.T.S. Jets - Dolphins

Steelers at Ravens

Matt - The de facto AFC North championship. Aaron Rodgers’ performance fades with the temperature. - Ravens

Karen - Lamar Jackson doesn't look right. But even a less than 100 percent Jackson will beat an even more beat up Rodgers - Ravens

Saints at Bucs

Matt - Easiest pick of the week - Bucs
Karen - Saints are in the hunt for the No. 1 pick - Bucs

Colts at Jaguars

Matt - Is it possible the Colts could fade all the way out of the playoffs? It’s possible. Jags.
Karen - As Jonathan Taylor goes, so go the Colts. Jaguars have one of the better run defenses - Jags.

Titans at Browns

Matt - Loser? Anyone who watches. Winner? The Browns
Karen - Heads Titans. Tails Browns. Tails - Browns

Commanders at Vikings

Matt - Two years after taking McCarthy, the Vikings will have to serious consider taking a QB again. - Commanders
Karen - The tale of two 2024 playoff teams gone south - Commanders.

Seahawks at Falcons

Matt - Seahawks are headed to the NFC title game. The Falcons are headed to the lottery - Seahawks
Karen - One of the easiest picks of the week - Seahawks

Bengals at Bills

Matt - This will be a better game than people think with Burrow back. But Buffalo wins at home - Bills
Karen - Joe Burrow hasn't lost to Buffalo in December. This won't be the first time - Bengals

Broncos at Raiders 

Matt - How did the Patriots lose to the Raiders? Seriously… How? - Broncos 
Karen - No need to over-analyze or flip a coin in this one - Broncos

Bears at Packers 

Matt - This is a really good game. This is the Caleb Williams breakthrough. - Bears
Karen - First meeting between the NFC North rivals. Packers win this one. Bears will follow with a win at home Dec. 20 - Packers

Rams at Cardinals

Matt - Rams are Super Bowl bound. - Rams
Karen - Rams rebound after the Panthers pulled off an upset last week. - Rams

Texans at Chiefs

Matt - No way Chiefs lose here. - KC
Karen - The Chiefs couldn't score on the Broncos defense. How are they going to score on a Texans unit that's just as daunting? - Texans

Eagles at Chargers

Matt - I don’t believe Herbert will really play with a broken hand. - Eagles
Karen - I do believe Herbert will play. And his heroics will fall short. - Eagles 

Here is this week's highlighted question:

How do you think the Patriots will do after the bye with Buffalo first, then Baltimore? -  Peggy from Woburn

Guregian: The hope would be the Patriots don't lose what allowed them to win the past 10 games. Breaks are big momentum killers. But the team really needed a break after going 13 straight weeks, and the previous two months before that with training camp. That said, Mike Vrabel went 6-0 the game after the bye while the head coach in Tennessee.

Obviously, the Buffalo and Baltimore games are significant. The Patriots can pretty much bury the Bills with a win. I'm sure they'll have that mindset. And the Ravens just aren't the Ravens. Lamar Jackson doesn't look right. He's been mistake-prone. It'll be tough to win in Baltimore, but the Patriots have been the ultimate road warriors. They haven't lost outside of Gillette Stadium all year. So I feel better about these games than I did prior to the season starting.

NOTE: MassLive columnist Karen Guregian will answer reader questions in this space weekly. If you have questions on the Patriots, NFL, or anything else, email Karen at kguregian@masslive.com or tweet to @kguregian.

Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick (AP photo)

Which Patriots icon, Bill Belichick or Robert Kraft, is more Hall of Fame worthy?

Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft both are Hall of Fame finalists. Here’s what happens next

Hall of Fame voters reportedly have a favorite between Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft

Bill Belichick reacts to being nominated for Hall of Fame alongside Robert Kraft

Is something wrong with Rodney Harrison? Patriots great explains ‘Sunday Night Football’ mishap

Patriots legend among North American sports icons aiding Friday’s World Cup 2026 draw

What they’re saying nationally about Patriots’ 10th straight win to regain AFC No. 1 seed

What they’re saying nationally after Bill Belichick’s first college season ends with blowout loss

NOTE: If you like what you see here, make sure to follow MassLive's Patriots reporters Chris Mason and Mark Daniels and columnists Karen Guregian, Matt Vautour and Sean McAdam and Nick O'Malley on Twitter. You should also bookmark MassLive's Patriots page and like our Patriots page on Facebook. 

MORE MASSLIVE SPORTS COVERAGE:

Jayson Tatum gives December rehab update: ‘Strongest I’ve ever been’

4 takeaways as Celtics crush Wizards as new starter erupts for career night

Celtics are leading Brad Stevens into a fascinating trade season conundrum

3 notable Boston Celtics stats at quarter-mark of season

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Red Sox trade for Johan Oviedo, two prospects; send ‘The Password’ to Pirates

He hated his experience in New York, but for Sonny Gray, Boston is ‘who I am’

As Red Sox trade rumors swirl, a top prospect is bulking up; another is working on his changeup

Jim Montgomery came through a disappointing Bruins experience with class, dignity intact

Bruins rookie starting to score like he always believed he could

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Bruins lose another defenseman to injury

You're all caught up.

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