Mike Vrabel hits back at criticism of Patriots schedule amid winning streak

The New England Patriots co-own the NFL’s best record through nine weeks, following a six-game winning streak that continued Sunday with a victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

However, despite the success of this young Patriots team, they have been criticized by a subset of NFL fans who claim the schedule has been soft compared to other teams in the league.

During an appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show,” Mike Vrabel, who took over as head coach of the franchise he won the Super Bowl with during his playing days, was asked by host Chris Curtis what he thought about the national conversation that the Patriots had a “joke” program.

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Vrabel’s response was controversial.

“You want me to comment on the schedule, or you want me to comment on my message to the team? What are you trying to say? You work on this a lot,” Vrabel said, swiveling in his chair. “Is this the national perspective, or is it [yours]?”

Curtis had said the Patriots’ strength of schedule had been the subject of a national conversation, while also wanting to know: “How do you balance maintaining [the team] in failure?”

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“I can only coach one team at a time. I don’t set the schedule,” Vrabel added. “Every team beats everyone [team]you know what I mean? It’s just mind-boggling to me, in the National Football League, that there can be such a tight schedule. You have a salary cap. Everyone spends the same amount of money. So, you know, in this league, that really doesn’t mean anything. »

The Patriots started the season 1-2 after a home loss to the Las Vegas Raiders followed by a win against the Miami Dolphins and another loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But they’ve since picked up a blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, followed by a crucial road win over the Buffalo Bills, 23-20, and victories over the New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and now the Falcons.

But, as the saying goes, “any Sunday,” and it’s there for a reason in the NFL. Just look north to Green Bay, where the Packers were beaten at Lambeau Field as heavy favorites against the Carolina Panthers. These same Packers also lost to the Cleveland Browns earlier this year.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel directs his players during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

This is just to say that any game in the NFL can lead to a win or a loss, regardless of the odds.

Vrabel and the Patriots don’t care how they’ve gotten wins this year, but you play the teams that are on the schedule and that’s simply the truth. And the Patriots might not have been in good spirits again if not for a missed extra point by the Falcons late in New England’s 24-23 victory.

Vrabel has also always been outspoken with the media in good times and bad when he was head coach of the Tennessee Titans, and that clearly hasn’t changed now that he’s back in New England.

“I love your little smile there,” Vrabel said to Curtis. “You know, you ask that question and you want to ask me about the strength of the schedule and my message. My message is the same every week that we have to put everything we have into every week and everyone has to prepare as a starter. I like our practices and the way we compete, and then you go play the game.”

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel walks on the field before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Dill Butch)

The process has worked since Vrabel took over, and the Patriots lead the AFC East with their 7-2 record, with the Buffalo Bills right behind them at 6-2.

The Patriots will have a tough opponent next week, as they hit the road to take on the 6-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who just finished their bye week.