We Are Not The Underdog

Heading into the 2025 regular season, the prevailing sentiment around the New England Patriots was that the team would likely improve but not be ready to contend for the playoffs.

But after Thursday night’s 27-14 win over the New York Jets, the Patriots now sit atop the AFC East standings with a record of 9-2, and very much look the part of genuine contenders.

Behind the combined strength of one of the league’s top defenses and the dynamic quarterback play from second-year starter Drake Maye, New England has now won eight consecutive games. 

And while it would be fair to point out that the Patriots have had a relatively easy schedule, their eight-game winning streak includes road wins over Buffalo and Tampa Bay, indicating that their recent string of performances is not a fluke.

Another contributing factor in the team’s recent success is undoubtedly a newfound confidence that has permeated the locker room. The Patriots are a team that knows it belongs and believes it will beat anyone it lines up against.

Following Thursday night’s win, linebacker Robert Spillane hammered that point home by saying of his team, “No one feels outmatched. We’re never going to feel like an underdog.”

As sports fans, we love to fixate on the physical characteristics that make athletes great. That fixation, however, also makes it very easy for us to overlook the importance of athletes having a proper mindset and solid confidence as they perform.

For a team to perform at its best, it must first have confidence that it will win the game. This doesn’t mean that a team should become arrogant, of course. But it does mean that it should believe it will win if it does everything it should.

As followers of Jesus, it’s often easy for us to overlook the importance of having appropriate confidence in our battle against sin.

Because we have all personally experienced numerous “losses” in our fight against sin, we can sometimes adopt an unhealthy mindset that leads us to feel that “defeat” is inevitable. After all, if we have given in to sin so many times in the past, doesn’t that mean that we will continue to do it at the same rate moving forward?

The answer to that question, if we are in Christ, is an emphatic “No.”

Once we place our trust in Christ and are filled with the Holy Spirit, God ensures us that He has equipped us with everything we need to overcome temptation and sin. Our past failures don't mean that we can’t have “victory” as we move forward.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB) reminds us, “No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

If we are being honest, sometimes a temptation can feel so strong that we falsely believe there is no way to overcome it. The truth, however, is that Scripture very plainly tells us that God has generously provided a way for us to be able to resist that temptation and honor Him. 

That doesn’t mean that victory will come easily or without great intentionality. It will take tremendous effort and great discipline to overcome the temptations we face. But the promise is that we will see victory if we abide in Christ and turn to Him for strength when we begin to feel tempted.

Hebrews 2:18 (NIV) speaks of Jesus by saying, “Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”

In our battle against sin, we should never feel outmatched or like an underdog with no chance. Because of Christ’s work and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are fully equipped to overcome temptation and score a powerful win against temptation.

Today, let’s remember where our confidence comes from and embrace the mindset set forth for us in Romans 6:11 (ESV): “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for so graciously providing me a way of escape when I face temptation. Help me to truly believe that You will help me find victory against sin as I turn to You in my weakness. May all glory go to You for every win I experience. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.