Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - For the New England Patriots, life after Tom Brady has been mostly miserable. Their 32-49 record in the four-plus seasons since Brady's departure is the worst stretch of Patriots football in about 30 years.
However, (sadly) some hope is emerging in rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
The third overall pick in last April's NFL Draft has started each of New England's last nine games after taking over for Jacoby Brissett. Maye has a 2-7 record, but that is much more about the team around him than Maye's potential.
The University of North Carolina product has completed 68% of his passes, though he's only averaging 189 yards passing a game to go along with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
But Maye is already showing more promise than the last guy who was supposed to bring the Patriots back to NFL prominence, Mac Jones. Maye has shown poise while operating a Patriots offense that just doesn't have enough weapons at the skill positions, and an offensive line that doesn't protect him well enough.
Maye has a strong enough arm, and at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, he will draw comparisons to Bills quarterback Josh Allen, in terms of body makeup.
Like Allen, Maye can use his legs to get himself out of any trouble. Maye has run the ball 42 times in 10 games, is averaging 8.5 yards a carry, and has a pair of touchdowns. Maye also has some swagger in his game, which any great quarterback would need.
However, the Patriots offense is bad.
New England averages just 17 points a game, which is the second-lowest total in the NFL. They've scored 20 points or less in nine of their 13 games, and their season-high point total is just 25. That came in a Week 8 win over the New York Jets.
The Patriots rank in the bottom-three in total yards per-game, passing yards per-game (they are last), passing average, first downs and third down efficiency.
Rhamondre Stevenson is their leading rusher with 740 yards and six touchdowns.
In terms of the passing game, tight end Hunter Henry leads the team with 62 catches and 635 yards, but he has found the end zone just one time. As for the wide receiver group, the No. 1 guy has been DeMario Douglas, who has caught 55 balls for 508 yards and a pair of scores.
By the way, former Bills quarterback Alex Van Pelt is the Patriots' offensive coordinator.
Defensively, New England has been below average for first-year head coach, and former Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo.
The Patriots are 23rd in points allowed, 21st in total yards, 16th against the pass and 21st defending the run. They are also 24th on third down and just 27th in sacks.
The pass rush is led by defensive ends Deatrich Wise Jr. and Kevin White, who have five sacks apiece. White leads in quarterback hits with 15.
Linebacker Jahlani Tavai is New England's leading tackler.
The Patriots have intercepted the opposing quarterback only six times in their 14 games this season. Promising second-year cornerback Christian Gonzales has two of those six.
Place kicker Joey Slye has had some issues with field goal attempts this season. He has missed on seven of his 30 attempts. Five of those seven misses have come from 40-plus yards.
Marcus Jones is second in the NFL in punt returns with a healthy average of 14.8 yards, but he might not be available for this game due to an injury.
There has been a little "close, but no cigar" going on this season for New England. Five of the Patriots' 11 losses have been by one score margins. Those five defeats have come by a total of 18 points.
If the 3-11 Patriots lose out, they would have the most losses by a New England team since 1992.
The Bills are 7-2 (4-1 home, 3-1 away) against New England in the post-Tom Brady era. That includes a Wild Card playoff romp by Buffalo in the 2021 AFC Wild Card Round.
The Bills have averaged 32 points in those seven wins, and their average margin of victory has been 15 points.