Full Breakdown
Stephen A. Smith Doubts Patriots Can Replicate 2025 Success in 2026 Opener
9/10/2026, 7:45:59 AM
Preview and Smith’s Skepticism
Commentators and columnists have argued that the New England Patriots’ chances of repeating their surprise 2025 run are uncertain. ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith posted a video captioned “Patriots, I am not convinced!” ahead of the season-opening Super Bowl LX rematch against the Seattle Seahawks. He questioned whether the team can avoid being a “fluke” after a playoff run that many observers described as aided by a favorable schedule.
2025 Playoff Run and Super Bowl Loss
The Patriots reached the AFC championship by defeating the Denver Broncos 10-7, then advanced to the Super Bowl where they were held scoreless for three quarters and fell 29-13 to the Seahawks. Their path included victories over only one of three opponents with winning records and playoff wins against injury-depleted teams, such as a Chargers squad missing two All-Pro offensive linemen and a Houston Texans team lacking key players like Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Joe Mixon.
Smith’s Specific Critiques
Smith highlighted three main points:
- “The New England Patriots, on record last year, had the easiest schedule that had existed for an NFL team since 1999,” — Stephen A. Smith
- Their playoff opponents were missing key talent, suggesting the run was “lucky as hell.” “New England was lucky as hell, and then when they showed up in the Super Bowl against a team loaded and ready to ball, they got completely outclassed,” — Stephen A. Smith
- He noted the absence of impact players on opposing teams, stating, “There’s no Nico Collins. There’s no Tank Dell. There’s no Joe Mixon, and CJ Stroud clearly was struggling.” “There's no Nico Collins. There's no Tank Dell. There's no Joe Mixon, and CJ Stroud clearly was struggling,” — Stephen A. Smith
He concluded that the same luck would not be present in the upcoming game: “New England was lucky as hell. And then when they showed up in the Super Bowl against a team loaded and ready to pull, they got completely outclassed. I don’t see it being any different tonight.” “New England was lucky as hell. And then when they showed up in the Super Bowl against a team loaded and ready to pull, they got completely outclassed. I don't see it being any different tonight,” — Stephen A. Smith
Offseason Roster Moves
During the offseason, New England added wide receiver A.J. Brown to give rookie quarterback Drake Maye a proven target. The team also dealt with the loss of quarterback Bo Nix, who was sidelined after an injury in a prior game against the Buffalo Bills. These changes are intended to address the offensive concerns raised by Smith, though no official response from the Patriots organization was provided in the sources.
Outlook
As the Patriots prepare to open the 2026 campaign at Lumen Field, Smith’s commentary underscores a broader debate about whether the 2025 postseason performance was sustainable or largely the result of favorable circumstances. The upcoming matchup will test that narrative, with the Patriots seeking to prove they can compete beyond the “lucky” run described by the analyst.
