The start of the Patriots' 2025 schedule was not expected to be tough, as they were set to face a rebuilding Raiders team, a consistently bad Dolphins team, a questionable Steelers team now led by expiring quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and the ongoing disaster of the Panthers.
They could have easily started the season 4-0, and were only a few plays away from accomplishing that, but it could also be said they were just a couple plays away from being 0-4. So the fact they ended the first month at .500 was welcomed with open arms.
It's that inconsistency that prompted many to believe they had no chance against the Bills on Sunday Night Football, even more so since they were on the road.