This one Patriots problem could doom their biggest playoff dreams

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel | Robert Deutsch-Imagn ImagesTwo things can be true: The 13-3 New England Patriots are legitimate Super Bowl contenders despite a 2025 schedule that, as the New York Jets showed this past Sunday, has been extremely favorable, to put it lightly.

They’re also a well-coached and talented football team that’s not without some glaring flaws.

Entering the second half of the season, the Patriots’ red zone offense had become a legitimate concern for fans and analysts alike. Quarterback Drake Maye has had an unbelievable knack for hitting big scoring plays beyond the 20-yard line, but in the red area, where the team’s inconsistent rushing attack has been a…