ESPN Insider Wouldn't Be Surprised If Patriots Won AFC East In 2025
It's not a stretch to say that most people expect the Patriots to at least challenge for a playoff spot in 2025. After all, oddsmakers in Vegas have the team's win total set at 8.5, which would be more than double the wins the team had in 2024.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, though, they play in the AFC East, which is the same division as the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are among the favorites to reach the Super Bowl, so winning the division may be a pipe dream for the Patriots this season.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler doesn't consider it a pipe dream, though. In fact, Fowler said he wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots do win the AFC East.
'I am not only buying Patriots stock, it would not surprise me if they won the AFC East,' Fowler declared on ESPN's 'Get Up.' 'They've loaded up on the offensive line. They've loaded up — defensive line's looking real good. There's just something about Drake Maye, I do feel he's going to make a massive jump. Buffalo is still the favorite, but I'm gonna put it right there. I think they have a chance to win it.'
As Fowler mentioned, the Patriots have certainly loaded up on the offensive and defensive lines, and we all know how important it is to be sturdy in the trenches. The team added Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury in free agency to the offensive line, and then drafted Will Campbell and Jared Wilson to further bolster the unit.
On defense, the team added Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga to a line that already included Christian Barmore and Jeremiah Pharms Jr. The team also brought in star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, cornerback Carlton Davis II, and linebacker Robert Spillane.
It's hard to see a glaring hole on this roster anymore, and the Patriots also have the luxury of playing one of the lightest schedules in the league as well. Will that lead to a division win? You probably shouldn't count on it, but improvement seems certain.
Related Headlines
UFC Flyweight Rankings: Steve Erceg Returns To Top 10 After Big UFC Vegas 109 Win
Recent Patriots misses the cut in latest 53-man roster projection after preseason opener
Connor Zilisch Falls Out of Car after Winning NASCAR Xfinity Race at Watkins Glen, Breaks Collarbone
NASCAR Xfinity Results Today: Mission 200 Winner, Xfinity Stage Results and Points

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jets first drive on offense offered glimpse into ideal Tanner Engstrand offense
New York Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand was anxious to watch his first-team offense take the field in Saturday's preseason game versus the Green Bay Packers. After a string of disappointing practices, the offense looked effective and efficient while immediately setting the tone in an eventual 30-10 exhibition Week 1 victory. It looked exactly how Engstand wanted the offense to look. Justin Fields and the first-string offense strung together a 10-play, 70-yard scoring drive that lasted over five minutes. On the third play from scrimmage, Fields avoided a three-and-out by completing a six-yard pass on third-and-5. On a second-and-10, the Jets' starting QB hit fullback Andrew Beck for 12 yards. Braelon Allen then rushed for 14 yards and Fields got the Jets in Packers territory with a 16-yard completion to Beck. That made it three explosive plays in a row, with a mixture of air and ground. A handful of plays later, Fields rushed for a 13-yard TD from a muddied pocket on third-and-5, capping a strong drive with a touchdown. It was precisely what Engstrand hopes to see throughout 2025. The dual-threat Fields was impactful both as a passer and rusher. Everyone got involved in the passing attack, and the backfield created explosive gains. The Jets' opening drive of the preseason displayed Engstrand's ideal offense. This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets first offensive drive offered look into Tanner Engstrand offense
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers in rain delay vs. Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. When will game start?
CHICAGO — The Detroit Tigers have been impacted by rain for the second day in a row. The Tigers and Chicago White Sox have been hit with a rain delay before the start of the second of three games in the series Tuesday, Aug. 12, at Rate Field, with rain expected until 8 p.m. This rain delay occurred less than 24 hours after a 63-minute rain delay in the ninth inning Monday, Aug. 11. First pitch was initially scheduled for 7:40 p.m. It's unclear when the game will begin. "It's spotty," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said before Tuesday's rain delay. "I think we're going to play. It's a matter of when this next cell hits us. There's been some downpours in the last 24 hours. The path to our dugout was full last night within five minutes after the game. It's supposed to be clear enough for us to get the game in, but not clear enough for us to take batting practice." After Tuesday's game, the Tigers and White Sox will play at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, in the series finale. For Wednesday's game, the Tigers are expected to deploy a bullpen-only game, likely using right-hander Troy Melton (and possibly left-hander Brant Hurter) as bulk relievers. This story will be updated. Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers rain delay vs. Chicago White Sox at Rate Field
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Slumping Mets demote struggling starter Frankie Montas to bullpen amid fight to stay in NL playoff race
Something needs to change for the fading New York Mets. On Tuesday, manager Carlos Mendoza announced that change is coming for the pitching staff. Starter Frankie Montas is moving to the bullpen amid struggles that have plagued him since he was called up in late June. Mendoza did not name Montas' replacement for his next scheduled start on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners. "It's possible" that the Mets call up a pitcher from Triple-A Syracuse to take his place, Mendoza said. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat, both 24, are among the potential prospects to get the call. McLean is the 37th-rated prospect in baseball, per Regardless of who's up, Montas' stint as a Mets starter is done. "He's gonna go to the bullpen," Mendoza said. "We had that conversation today. He's going to throw his side, and the first day that he'll be available is Thursday." Montas, 32, joined the Mets last offseason on a two-year, $34 million contract. The Mets signed Montas with the hopes that he could add depth to their starting rotation. Montas, who's been a full-time starter since his second MLB season in 2017, has show flashes of upside in his nine-plus season MLB career, but has repeatedly been derailed by injuries. From Yahoo Sports' Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman when the Mets signed Montas: Cincinnati's Opening Day starter, Montas disappointed in his brief Reds tenure before looking a fair bit better after he was traded to Milwaukee at the deadline, albeit still with a below-average ERA. The fact that he stayed healthy enough to make 30 starts is a good sign after he missed almost all of 2023 due to shoulder surgery, but the upside here isn't nearly as tantalizing as it once was. Montas sustained a lat injury in spring training after signing with the Mets and didn't make his 2025 debut until a June 24 start against the Atlanta Braves. Montas didn't allow a run in five innings that game, but has since complied a career-worst 6.38 ERA in eight appearances, seven of them starts. Montas made his first appearance out of the bullpen in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed three earned runs (one earned), three hits and issued two walks in three innings of relief. Now he'll remain in the bullpen. The Mets make the move amid a slump in which they've lost seven straight games and 11 of their last 12. They've fallen to 63-55, which placed them six games behind the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies prior to Tuesday's game against the Braves. New York remains in playoff position, but its hold on that position is tenuous. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Mets held a two-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds (62-58) for the final wild-card spot in the National League.