AFC East
New England Patriots
AI Summary
New England opens the season on the road against the team that beat them in Super Bowl LX, carrying one of the league's biggest projected win-total jumps this year — four games higher than last season's result according to market pricing.
Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026
Real Efficiency KPIs
Offensive EPA/play
+0.159
#1 of 32
Defensive EPA/play allowed
-0.047
#11 of 32
2025 regular season, 1017 offensive / 966 defensive plays. Source: nflverse play-by-play (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season. This is a prior-season baseline — this team's 2026 numbers will replace it once real Week 1 plays exist.
Key Players (2025 production)
Leading Passer
Drake Maye · QB
354/492, 31 TD, 8 INT
+166.2 passing EPA
Leading Rusher
TreVeyon Henderson · RB
180 car, 911 yds, 9 TD
+8.4 rushing EPA
Leading Receiver
Stefon Diggs · WR
85/102, 1013 yds, 21% target share
+70.4 receiving EPA
Leading Pass Rusher
Harold Landry III · LB
8.5 sacks, 19 QB hits
Leading Tackler
Robert Spillane · LB
47 solo, 49 assist
Leading Interceptor
Jaylinn Hawkins · SAF
4 INT
Source: nflverse player stats (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season; team attribution updated for documented 2026 offseason trades. Prior-season baseline, not 2026 in-season stats.
Key Storylines
- Season opener is a Super Bowl LX rematch at Seattle
- Biggest projected win-total jump in the league alongside Denver
- Now grouped in the crowded 10.5-win tier with six other contenders
Injury Report
No notable injuries reported.