Patriots Revived: New England Finds their Identity Again
- Mayline Ruiz
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
The New England Patriots have been on a high this season with their star quarterback, Drake Maye. Many refer to their successful seasons as the Brady era, when they were on a high from all the wins and championships. Let’s take a look at the Patriots' season and some of their star players.
The Patriots have been on a roll so far, with a 9-2 record, and their winning percentage at .818. They are 4-2 at home and 5-0 on the road. The Patriots are also on a winning streak of eight games and are currently tied with the Denver Broncos for the best record in the NFL.
They currently hold 292 points with 35 touchdowns. Their completed passes and attempted passes are 231-322 with 316 rushing attempts. The Patriots have been working really well together with an improved offense and defense. The team has brought in massive wins, such as the win against the Buffalo Bills, which was 23-20.
The Patriots have an amazing roster, which has helped them improve their offensive and defensive lines to become a threatening team. Let’s take a look at some of the players the Patriots have and how they have contributed to the roster and success of the team.
Drake Maye
Drake Maye, who went to school at the University of North Carolina, spent three years at UNC, where he played in 30 games. He completed 618 passes, with 8018 passing yards, and obtained 63 touchdowns. Maye also won the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Offensive Player of the Year and ACC Player of the Year in 2022.
In the 2024 season, Maye replaced Jacoby Brissett in Week 6. Maye played in 13 games where he had 225 completed passes, for 2276 passing yards, and 15 touchdowns. This season, Maye has already played in 11 games with 230 completed passes, 2836 passing yards, and 20 touchdowns.
Maye is currently in first place for passing yards in front of Justin Herbert, quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers, and Daniel Jones, the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. Numerous NFL fans have placed Maye as a top candidate for the MVP award.
TreVeyon Henderson
TreVeyon Henderson spent four years playing at the Ohio State University before getting drafted by the New England Patriots. During his four years in college, Henderson played in 47 games where he had 3761 rushing yards, 853 receiving yards, 77 receptions, and 42 touchdowns. In 2024, Henderson was part of the 2024 College Football Championship as Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23.
In Henderson’s first year with the Patriots, he obtained 492 rushing yards, 165 receiving yards, 26 receptions, and 5 touchdowns in only 11 games. Henderson is currently leading the team in rushing yards and is in 24th place for rushing yards behind players such as Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor.
Henderson had an explosive game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the Patriots defeated the Bucs 28-23. In this game, Henderson had 147 rushing yards, his highest this season so far, 2 touchdowns, 1 reception, and 3 receiving yards. With his explosive speed and versatility as a runner and receiver, his style of play fits perfectly with what the Patriots are looking for.
Stefon Diggs
With it being Stefon Diggs' 10th year in the league, he has gotten plenty of experience. Diggs, who went to the University of Maryland, spent three years there, where he played in 28 games and made 150 receptions, 2227 receiving yards, 187 rushing yards, and 14 touchdowns.
Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, where he spent five years with them, playing in 70 games for 365 receptions, 4623 receiving yards, 159 rushing yards, and 30 touchdowns. Diggs then went on to play for the Buffalo Bills for four years, for 66 games, for 445 receptions, 5372 receiving yards, and 37 touchdowns. Last season, Diggs played for the Houston Texans, where he played in only eight games for 47 receptions, 496 receiving yards, and three touchdowns.
During the offseason, Diggs signed a three-year contract with the New England Patriots, and he’s already getting off to a hot start. Diggs has 659 receiving yards with three touchdowns in just 11 games and currently leads the Patriots in receiving yards. Currently, he is in 15th place in the NFL behind players such as Puka Nacua and Ja’Marr Chase. With young players such as Maye and Henderson, Diggs can help show these rookies how to navigate the league.
Robert Spillane
Robert Spillane is heading into his seventh year in the NFL. Spillane had gone undrafted and signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2018 as part of the practice squad and the active roster. Spillane was then released and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Before his NFL start, Spillane attended Western Michigan, where he spent four years playing in 47 games. He had 312 combined tackles with 10 sacks.
Once he made his NFL start with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Spillane played in 50 games, where he had 191 combined sacks and 33 interceptions returned for touchdowns. Spillane then went to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he played in 34 games for 306 combined tackles and 53 interceptions returned for touchdowns. In his first year with the Patriots, in 11 games, he led the team with two interceptions returned for touchdowns and 90 combined sacks.
In the NFL, he is tied for the fourth most interceptions with numerous players, such as Camryn Bynum and Kam Curl. Just this year, Spillane also signed a three-year contract with the Patriots. His productivity and work ethic will help him encourage the team and allow him to serve as a leader to rookies.
These players have given the city of Boston hope again. After Tom Brady left the Patriots, the city had a few quarterbacks they hoped would pan out, such as Mac Jones, who now plays for the San Francisco 49ers. Through trial and error, the Patriots have found an amazing team that will hopefully lead them to playoff contention.
What do you think? Have the Patriots been playing their best game all season? Who would you say is another Patriots MVP this season? Let me know what you think!
Edited by Mary Merensky