What's up everybody? Welcome into the next Pat's podcast. I'm Phil Perry, massive episode for you this week after the Patriots had that massive win in Buffalo. We've got our good buddy, Rob Nikovic, two-time Super Bowl champion Rob

Nikovic on to tell us whether or not he thinks this team is for real and whether or not

he thinks this could be a playoff team. We're also talking about, of course, Drake May and his

performance through five weeks as well as Mike Vrable and how he's handled a very young

locker room in Foxborough.

But I wanted to start the podcast by telling you a little bit more about your quarterback.

And why I think the job he has done is even more impressive than you'd think.

It's because he's doing everything he's doing without a running game.

The Patriots have been one of the worst rushing offenses in football through the first

month plus of this 2025 season.

Let me give you some numbers.

They are seeing the fewest number of quote unquote light boxes in the NFL through five

games.

That means a lot of bodies near the line of scrimmage.

It also generally speaking means a lot of bodies near the line of scrimmage. It also generally speaking

means a lot of single high safety coverages. Opposing defenses and their coordinators, they want

to take away the Patriots run game. They probably know that Josh McDaniels wants to stay

balanced. They know obviously that Drake May is a young player. His offensive coordinator

might not want to put everything on his plate this early

in his career.

So they are taking away the run.

And boy, oh, boy, have they succeeded in that regard?

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