3) The Patriots are the best team in the AFC: FICTION.

The defining trait of the 2025 campaign thus far: There are no great teams.

There are a host of good squads, but no great ones that stand out head and shoulders above the rest. Every club is flawed in its own way. Good offenses go cold. Excellent defenses get burned. It’s the type of parity the league takes great pride in.

Perhaps no team defines the season more than the New England Patriots. Mike Vrabel’s club has mowed down 10 consecutive opponents and enters the bye week at 11-2, one victory ahead of the 10-2 Broncos for the top spot in the AFC.

The Pats have the inside track at the No. 1 seed, but does that make them the best team in the AFC? I remain unconvinced.

There’s no denying Drake Maye is playing at an MVP level. The second-year quarterback leads the league with 3,412 passing yards and a 71.5% completion rate. He’s not gobbling up completions dinking-and-dunking his way down the field either, ranking second with 8.8 yards per attempt (Sam Darnold leads with 9.0).

The coaching staff has been superb, with Vrabel’s crew putting his players in a position to succeed. New England doesn’t beat itself and plays with a hair-on-fire ferocity few have matched this season.

Yet, I can’t overlook that they have feasted on cupcakes like they’re at a five-star bakery. Eight of their 11 wins have come against teams currently sporting losing records. While they blew out a few bad teams — the Giants, Titans and Browns — they’ve also eked out a few victories against lesser opponents. Their most impressive victories came on the road in Buffalo and against a banged-up Tampa Bay team. Clubs don’t control their opponents, so New England gets credit for handling its business, but that isn’t exactly a sign of greatness.

Also, the roster remains a question. The pass rush goes quiet for stretches, and they currently miss the injured Milton Williams in the middle. The offense moves the ball at will between the 20s but gets stuck at the goal line and in short-yardage situations. The current injuries to the offensive line are a concern. Does this roster still have depth to withstand injuries?

The Patriots still need to prove themselves down the stretch. As with most teams whose best players are in the nascent stages of their careers, there is a lack of evidence that they can maintain their level of play. Unlike Kansas City, Buffalo or Baltimore, there simply isn’t the years’ worth of proof they can continue to win as the season hits its crescendo. The metrics-based analytics certainly don’t love New England as the top squad. Next Gen Stats gives the team a 1.5 team rating, ranking ninth in the conference. ESPN’s Football Power Index places them seventh.

While Maye’s play makes the argument difficult, at this point, the tomato-can-filled schedule tips the balance for me. Their next two games coming out of the bye will provide a better picture. If they beat Buffalo and Baltimore teams in desperation mode, they’ll shut down the questions.