The New England Patriots went from worst to first in their division in 2025 and are now preparing to take on the Houston Texans on Sunday.Coach Mike Vrabel turned a 4-13 Patriots team into a 14-3 powerhouse that reclaimed the AFC East title after a five-year run by the Buffalo Bills, and second-year QB Drake Maye won his playoff debut against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.In 20 of the last 23 seasons, at least one team has won its division a year after finishing in last place. In all, six teams reached the playoffs this season after sitting out in 2024. In addition to the Patriots, the Jacksonville Jaguars joined this year’s field in the AFC. They were upset in the wild-card round by the Bills, who won their first road playoff game since the 1992 AFC championship.Joining the Bears in returning to the NFC playoffs this year were the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks, the Carolina Panthers, who lost a heartbreaker to the Rams, and the San Francisco 49ers, who upset defending champion Philadelphia.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —
The New England Patriots went from worst to first in their division in 2025 and are now preparing to take on the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Coach Mike Vrabel turned a 4-13 Patriots team into a 14-3 powerhouse that reclaimed the AFC East title after a five-year run by the Buffalo Bills, and second-year QB Drake Maye won his playoff debut against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
In 20 of the last 23 seasons, at least one team has won its division a year after finishing in last place.
In all, six teams reached the playoffs this season after sitting out in 2024. In addition to the Patriots, the Jacksonville Jaguars joined this year’s field in the AFC. They were upset in the wild-card round by the Bills, who won their first road playoff game since the 1992 AFC championship.
Joining the Bears in returning to the NFC playoffs this year were the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks, the Carolina Panthers, who lost a heartbreaker to the Rams, and the San Francisco 49ers, who upset defending champion Philadelphia.