ESPN's Dan Orlovsky believes the New England Patriots were always Super Bowl contenders, even after their first three games of the season.
The Patriots rolled into Orchard Park and upset the Buffalo Bills in Week 4, and then they handed the Las Vegas Raiders a 45-17 blowout loss in Week 5. Drake Maye is playing with the same confidence that nearly won him the 2025 NFL MVP award, and the Patriots' defense has played tough throughout.
When asked if he viewed the Patriots as playoff contenders, Orlovsky didn't hesitate when giving his response.
"They were never not. And if you doubted New England through three games, you just didn’t watch them play," Orlovsky said on ESPN's First Take. "...It was just about Drake figuring out how to get himself out of
that slump. He was always going to get himself out of that slump.
"It had to do with him overthinking. ...He’s now back to being athletic and making plays with his legs. He’s now back to being aggressive down the field and completing those tight-window throws that we were accustomed to last year that have come back in the last two weeks."
“If you doubted New England through three games, you just didn’t watch them play.”
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 12, 2026
—@danorlovsky7 defends Drake Maye and the Patriots against the doubters 😤 pic.twitter.com/jnfgp41cq0
The Patriots will have an opportunity to stack a third straight win on Sunday when hosting the New York Jets. They'll then go on the road to take on the Chicago Bears on a short week next Thursday night, before heading to South Beach for another AFC East divisional game against the Miami Dolphins.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Dan Orlovsky's blunt response to Patriots and Drake Maye doubters
