The New England Patriots have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 NFL season as head coach Mike Vrabel's first year at the helm has surpassed expectations. One of the biggest reasons why the Patriots have enjoyed as much success as they have through Week 17 has been the play of second-year QB Drake Maye.
While Maye has undoubtedly taken the leap in his second year as a pro, his performance against the New York Jets in Week 17 brought him into rarefied air, linking him forever with Tom Brady.
After putting up 256 yards through the air and five touchdown passes while completing 19 of his 21 attempts against the Jets' defense, fans and pundits should move beyond where Maye stands in the MVP conversation and begin discussing how New England is a legitimate threat, and an undervalued one at that, to win the Super Bowl.
Drake Maye Has Patriots Looking Like Legitimate Super Bowl Contender
Entering Sunday's Week 17 slate, Maye and the Patriots were +1000 to win the Super Bowl, according to Fan Duel Sports Book. Those would be the third-best odds of any AFC team, with the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos ahead of them, to raise the Vince Lombardi Trophy come February 2026.
With New England's performance throughout the 2025 campaign, coupled with Maye consistently improving under the tutelage of Josh McDaniels, looking at a potential return on investment of 10-to-1 to back the Patriots to win it all seems worth the risk. This is only amplified if you believe that the Broncos could fall to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18, potentially gifting New England the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs if the Patriots can take care of business against the Miami Dolphins.
There is always an inherent risk associated with gambling; there is no such thing as a sure thing. For all of the things working in New England's favor, though, there are plenty of reasons to feel like backing Maye and company at that number is worthwhile. Especially with the potential for the vast majority, if not all, of the Patriots' postseason games taking place at the friendly confines of Gillette Stadium.
With a record of 13-3 entering the final week of the regular season, the rest of the league can continue to doubt Maye and the Patriots at their own risk. Whether that ultimately bites the oddsmakers remains to be seen. But the odds are firmly in favor of believers in New England to strike while the iron is hot.
Disclaimer: Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.