According to Stephen A. Smith, the New England Patriots are genuine Super Bowl contenders. This bold claim comes right after the team crushed the Las Vegas Raiders 45-17 on Sunday. That lopsided win followed a surprising upset of the Buffalo Bills just one week prior. Smith believes the Patriots have enough talent to win it all, even with their injury problems. He sees a team that refuses to lose no matter who sits on the sidelines.
“The answer to this question, the Patriots are obviously Super Bowl contenders. There’s no doubt about that,” said Smith, according to Yahoo Sports. He pointed out the massive list of missing starters for the Raiders game. Key players like Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III were out. Even with those holes, the defense held Las Vegas to just 17 points. The offense exploded for 45 points behind Drake Maye. This performance proves the team can beat good opponents with a depleted roster.
Maye’s Turnaround
After some bumpy games, Drake Maye is playing like a quarterback who wants to win a title. In the last two games, he averaged 322 passing yards per game. That is a huge jump from his 195 yards per game over his first three games. He tossed four touchdowns versus the Raiders and also found the end zone with a rushing score. According to ESPN, the Patriots are ranked as the No. 9 team in the league following this win. That ranking reflects the real shift in how the rest of the NFL views New England.
The offense found ways to score even when key receivers were hurt. Efton Chism III stepped up with five receptions for 57 yards. He made a big catch-and-lateral play that kept a drive alive. Mike Vrabel’s coaching staff managed to get the best out of a thin roster. They found players who could block and make plays in different positions. “They’re all ready to go. They all play different positions. That’s not easy, you know, to learn three different positions and be able to step in there and block and make plays,” Vrabel said, according to Yahoo Sports.
A Tough Week Ahead
The schedule now tests the team in a way that could break their momentum. New England must play the New York Jets on Sunday, then travel to face the Chicago Bears on Thursday. That is two games in five days. It is a brutal stretch for any squad, especially one dealing with injuries. The Jets have a 2-3 record but play tough defense. A loss here would stall the hype and drop the Patriots to .500. But a win would put more pressure on the Buffalo Bills in the division.
Star wide receiver A.J. Brown is nearing a return from an ankle injury. If he plays against the Jets, the offense becomes even more dangerous. The team is sitting at 3-2 and climbing the playoff charts.
