Mike Vrabel responds to critics of the Patriots schedule during the winning streak

Patriots Extend Winning Streak

The New England Patriots have extended their winning streak to six games, following a victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. This puts them in a tie for the best record in the NFL after the first nine weeks of the season.

Despite their success, some fans have pointed out that the Patriots’ schedule seems easier compared to other teams, a sentiment that’s sparked criticism.

During an interview on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show,” Mike Vrabel, the head coach and former Super Bowl champion, addressed these concerns when asked about the perception of the Patriots having a “joke” schedule.

Vrabel responded in a somewhat contentious manner, saying, “Are you asking about the schedule or the team’s message? What would you like me to say? You’re working hard on it.” He also questioned whether the view was a national one or a personal opinion.

Host Chris Curtis noted that the conversation about the Patriots’ schedule has been widely discussed and asked how the team maintains balance amidst the scrutiny.

“I can only coach one team,” Vrabel replied. He emphasized that any team could defeat another and mentioned how surprising it is that schedules vary so much in the NFL. “You have a salary cap, and everyone operates within it, so that doesn’t really mean anything,” he added.

Initially, the Patriots struggled at the start of the season with a record of 1-2. They lost their home opener to the Las Vegas Raiders, bounced back against the Miami Dolphins, only to lose again to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, since then, they’ve rallied, highlighted by a decisive win over the Carolina Panthers and a crucial road victory against the Buffalo Bills, followed by wins over the New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and finally, the Falcons.

In the NFL, oddities happen regularly—just look at the Green Bay Packers, who unexpectedly lost to the Carolina Panthers despite being favorites.

Vrabel and the Patriots seem indifferent about the perception of their schedule; they focus on playing the games at hand. If the Falcons had converted an extra point late in the match, the outcome might have been different, and they could be on a different path altogether.

Vrabel has always been straightforward with the media during his coaching career, and his approach seems unchanged since returning to New England. He told Curtis, “I appreciate your little laugh there. I assume you’re asking about our schedule because you want insight into our message. My message remains the same: we have to give everything each week and be ready as starters.”

The strategy has yielded positive results, placing the Patriots at the top of the AFC East with a 7-2 record, closely followed by the Buffalo Bills at 6-2.