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After an unprecedented run of 11 straight AFC East championships, the New England Patriots have tumbled down the mountain just as the Buffalo Bills have cemented there place atop it with five straight division titles.
Last season under first-year head coach replacement to Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo lead the Pats to a disappointing 4-13 record, leading to his abrupt termination.
This offseason, Mike Vrabel assumed the position, and once again, major expectations now lie on the coach's shoulders to lift New England back to relevancy in the AFC.
Vrabel, who spent eight seasons with the Patriots as a player from 2001-2008, is not backing down from the challenge as head coach.
On an episode of the docu-series Forged in Foxborough, Vrabel bursted into a rally cry to his team about turning the page from last season.
"Why the (expletive) would I care about what happened last year? I'm worried about what's going to go right today and tomorrow and the next day. We're not worried about what went wrong. We're focused on what's going to go right," Vrabel said.
While the Bills have enjoyed their run wearing the crown in the division, Vrabel has adjusted his sights with the goal focused on recapturing a hold on the AFC East.
His strong message could be taken as a warning to the Bills and the rest of the division.
"We're building our own identity, OK?" Vrabel said. "The overriding goal for the program that we're going to build is going to be to win the division."
New England finished last in the division the last two seasons, but their last few high NFL Draft picks have brought some promise with cornerback Christian Gonzalez and quarterback Drake Maye already shaping out to be franchise cornerstones.
This year's No. 4 overall pick in the first round, offensive tackle Will Campbell, should also be a nice addition to protect the young Maye, as well.
The Patriots still need to see more growth and development all around, but with Vrabel leading a motivated charge, the Patriots could be a more daunting task than they've been in years past.
New England's first meeting will the Bills will come in Week 5 in Buffalo, with the second half of the series in Foxborough scheduled for Week 15.
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Last season under first-year head coach replacement to Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo lead the Pats to a disappointing 4-13 record, leading to his abrupt termination.
This offseason, Mike Vrabel assumed the position, and once again, major expectations now lie on the coach's shoulders to lift New England back to relevancy in the AFC.
Vrabel, who spent eight seasons with the Patriots as a player from 2001-2008, is not backing down from the challenge as head coach.
On an episode of the docu-series Forged in Foxborough, Vrabel bursted into a rally cry to his team about turning the page from last season.
"Why the (expletive) would I care about what happened last year? I'm worried about what's going to go right today and tomorrow and the next day. We're not worried about what went wrong. We're focused on what's going to go right," Vrabel said.
While the Bills have enjoyed their run wearing the crown in the division, Vrabel has adjusted his sights with the goal focused on recapturing a hold on the AFC East.
His strong message could be taken as a warning to the Bills and the rest of the division.
"We're building our own identity, OK?" Vrabel said. "The overriding goal for the program that we're going to build is going to be to win the division."
New England finished last in the division the last two seasons, but their last few high NFL Draft picks have brought some promise with cornerback Christian Gonzalez and quarterback Drake Maye already shaping out to be franchise cornerstones.
This year's No. 4 overall pick in the first round, offensive tackle Will Campbell, should also be a nice addition to protect the young Maye, as well.
The Patriots still need to see more growth and development all around, but with Vrabel leading a motivated charge, the Patriots could be a more daunting task than they've been in years past.
New England's first meeting will the Bills will come in Week 5 in Buffalo, with the second half of the series in Foxborough scheduled for Week 15.
Related: Bills Named 'Least Vulnerable' Division Champion In 2025
Related: No Excuses For Bills After Schedule Release
Related: No Excuses For Bills After Schedule Release
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