NFL Writer Lays Out Reasons Patriots May Slide Dramatically Next Season

The New England Patriots fell short of their dream ending, losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX on Sunday.

Although no team sets out to lose the Super Bowl, few anticipated that New England would reach the game before the season started. The Patriots have a promising future ahead, but CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell believes they may take a step back next season.

“The 2025 AFC champion New England Patriots coasted to a 14-3 record while playing the easiest regular-season strength of schedule, with a .391 opponent winning percentage, the lowest by any team since the 1999 Rams,” Podell wrote on Thursday. “Eleven of their 17 games came against teams whose head coach is not returning in 2026, which is tied for the most such games in NFL history along with the 1925 Frankford Yellow Jackets, according to CBS Sports Research. That’s a nearly unprecedented cakewalk.”

There’s no debate regarding the strength of the Patriots’ regular season schedule. Still, it’s worth noting that they went undefeated on the road, an impressive feat regardless of the level of competition they faced. However, New England did have an easy playoff run, getting a few breaks along the way.

“Come playoff time, their path continued to provide soft landings. The Los Angeles Chargers were without both starting offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, the Houston Texans were without their top two passing targets in wide receiver Nico Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz (departed in game at New England) and the Denver Broncos had to start Jarrett Stidham, who hadn’t throw a pass in a game all season, at quarterback over the injured Bo Nix,” Podell added. “It wasn’t exactly a huge surprise that they fell behind the healthy Seahawks 19-0 in an eventual 29-12 Super Bowl defeat.”

Many people will be doubting the Patriots next season, but that could actually serve as motivation for them, benefiting New England.