Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky issued a warning to the New England Patriots amid a 9-2 season. The Patriots come off a 27-14 win over the New York Jets in Week 11, becoming the first team with nine victories and confirming they are one of the best squads in the entire league.
Drake Maye is having a terrific second year with the Pats, going 230 of 320 for 2,836 yards and 20 touchdowns in 11 games this season. The quarterback has drawn MVP buzz thanks to his performances and his teamâs record.
The defense has been solid, too, limiting dangerous opponents such as the Pittsburgh Steelers to 14 points, the Buffalo Bills to 20 points, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to 23 points. As solid as the defense has looked this campaign, Orlovsky believes they might be in trouble against teams that run the ball.
Dan Orlovsky urges Patriots to stop relying on nickel defense
During Tuesdayâs episode of ESPNâs âNFL Live,â Orlovsky shared his concerns about the Patriots playing too much nickel defense. More specifically, he said the Patriots would struggle against heavy-run offenses.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots.
âIn 2025, I canât allow you to play a safe defense and still have success,â Orlovsky said. âTheyâre in nickel, it feels like, on every single snap. ⊠New Englandâs using the nickel the third-most in the NFL. In 2025, when itâs the year of tight ends and smash-mouth football and playing under center. As great as the New England story has been, if New England consistently thinks that theyâre going to be allowed to line up and play nickel defense, in a win-or-go-home game against some teams in the AFC that can and will play smash-mouth, multiple tight ends, fullback-on-the-field football, itâll be an early exit if they get into the playoffs.â
The rest of the schedule doesnât seem to be dangerous to the Patriots in that regard. The only two teams with solid running games are the Bills and the Baltimore Ravens, whom they face in Weeks 15 and 16, respectively.
