The 2025-26 NFL season is currently heading toward its stretch run, with teams making final preparations to best put themselves in playoff position (or draft position, depending on the situation). Two of the biggest surprise stories in the NFL this year have been the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots, both of whom sit atop their division with impressive records at this point.

Recently, however, a report from ESPN showed how an advanced stat known as DOVA, or defense-adjusted value over average, exposed these teams for being at least somewhat fraudulent.

“The underlying stats say the Pats are not even close to being the best team in the league. In fact, DVOA has them 17th with a below-average rating,” reported Aaron Schatz of ESPN.com.

Schatz also made note of the Patriots' in

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