Week after week, the New England Patriots continue to state their case that they are not a fluke. They proved that once again on Monday night, destroying the New York Giants 33-15 for their 10th straight win. 

They are now 11-2 on the season, the first NFL team to 11 wins. They have the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the moment heading into their bye week, the last of four teams to finally get a week off.

They've earned it, without question. Because what they've done through three months has been incredible.

Mike Vrabel's impact on this team cannot be understated. The first-year Patriots coach who won three Super Bowls in New England as a player has completely changed the culture of this organization, taking it back in time while moving forward — and getting better — every single week.

During this winning streak, New England has excelled at all three levels. They dominated special teams again Monday night — Marcus Jones had a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown — and the defense never let Jaxson Dart and the Giants breathe.

Most importantly, quarterback Drake Maye was nearly perfect once again. He has the Patriots' offense humming, and those MVP chants coming out of Foxborough are starting to echo all across the nation.

Maye was 24-for-31 passing for 282 yards and a touchdown in the win. He leads the league in passing yards (3,412) and completion percentage (71.4), very much looking the part of the NFL's best player.

“I think he’s realizing what he can be and the impact that he makes on this offense and being the conductor,” Vrabel said. “He’s hard on himself. I think that he challenges himself as well as his coaches. He means a great deal to this football team. So, again, I'm very appreciative that he’s our quarterback.”

He should be. Maye, the third-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has been sensational. Toss in Vrabel and his coaching staff — especially offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel — and this team is very much looking like a Super Bowl contender. Their 10-game winning winning streak is the longest for the Patriots since 2015, back in the Tom Brady glory days.

At 11-2, they are now 2.5 games ahead of the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East race, and can actually clinch the division when the come out of the bye, because they play the Bills in Foxborough on Dec. 14. Win, and the race is over.

This late bye week will turn out to be a blessing now. They can rest up —and heal up — for the home stretch with four games to go. They played without starting left tackle Will Campbell and starting left guard Jared Wilson, and were also missing defensive tackles Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga and special teams star Brenda Schooler. 

"This bye week is huge. I feel like it's been a long time coming, but we're here, and we have some important football after the bye week," Maye said.  "We're looking forward to getting healthy, get some guys back, and make a push."

This was the sixth time this season that Maye has completed 75 percent of his passes and had two touchdown passes. Only Tom Brady (2007) and Jared Goff (2024) have more in a season.  

"Just trying to be the face of the offense, trying to be the conductor. I want the pressure, want the ball in my hands," Maye said. "I know they feed off of me and feed off of my energy."

So far, it's all working great. MVP? Well, he's the favorite now. Those cheering Patriots fans might have had it right all along. Now that a rest. You've earned it.

What the Patriots have done so far

SEPTEMBER RESULTS
Sept. 7 — Las Vegas Raiders defeated New England Patriots 20-13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Record: 0-1.
Sept. 14 — New England Patriots defeated Miami Dolphins 33-27 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Record: 1-1.
Sept. 21` — Pittsburgh Steelers defeated New England Patriots 21-14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Record: 1-2. 
Sept. 28 — New England Patriots defeated Carolina Panthers 33-27 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Record: 2-2. 

OCTOBER RESULTS
Oct. 5 —  New England Patriots defeated Buffalo Bills 23-20 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Record: 3-2.
Oct. 12 — New England Patriots defeated New Orleans Saints 25-19 at Caesers Superdome in New Orleans, La. Record: 4-2.
Oct. 19` — New England Patriots defeated Tennessee Titans 31-13 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Record: 5-2. 
Oct. 26 — New England Patriots defeated Cleveland Browns 32-13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Record: 6-2. 

NOVEMBER RESULTS
Nov. 2 —  New England Patriots defeated Atlanta Falcons 24-23 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Record: 7-2. 
Nov. 9 — New England Patriots defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-23 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Record: 8-2.
Nov. 13 (Thurs.)` — New England Patriots defeated New York Jets 27-14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Record: 9-2. 
Nov. 23 — New England Patriots defeated Cincinnati Bengals 26-20 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Record: 10-2. 

DECEMBER RESULTS
Dec. 1 (Mon.) —  New England Patriots defeated New York Giants 33-15 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Record: 11-2. 

What the Patriots have left

Dec. 7 — Bye week
Dec. 14 (Sun.) — Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET. TV: CBS
Dec. 21 (Sun.) — New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET. TV: CBS
Dec. 28 (Sun.) — New England Patriots at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET. TV: CBS
Jan. 3/4 (Flex) — Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots, time, TV: TBA