Why Mike Florio Believes ‘Overlooked’ Patriots Could Be AFC Sleeper Team

Mike Florio believes the New England Patriots are underappreciated following their offseason turnover.

The Pro Football Talk host praised Mike Vrabel’s team during his “PFT PM Mailbag” on NFL on NBC last week. Florio even indicated he views the Patriots as a sleeper team in the AFC, and a club no team will want to see when the postseason comes around.

“I think the Patriots are going to pretty good this year,” Florio said. “I think Mike Vrabel is going to come in and change the culture the right way. I think they’ve gotten some players that are going to make a difference. The key is the coach, and Vrabel understands how to put a team together.

“They’re just being overlooked and disrespected enough, and there’s just enough connective tissue back to the good parts of the (Bill) Belichick era. I think the Patriots can make the playoffs.”

New England could have a tough time overcoming the four-time division champion Buffalo Bills. However, it’s fair to think the Miami Dolphins took a step back this season and the New York Jets are starting a new era themselves, especially with an uncertain Justin Fields behind center.

The Patriots schedule, including those divisional matchups, makes it very possible they’re a playoff contender in December. If they get there, Florio says, they have the head coach and the mental makeup to stun some folks.

“The Patriots seem like the kind of team that can just show up and take your lunch money in a postseason game,” Florio said. “‘Nobody expected us to be here, we’re going to take it. You shouldn’t have let us come to the party because we’re going to take it.’ Not saying they’re gonna run it all the way to the Super Bowl, but they can upset a team or two if they get to the postseason.”

Florio’s opinion is sure to make Patriots fans fell enthused with training camp less than one week away.