Patriots gunslinger Drake Maye finally looked recognizable in New England’s 29–26 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, providing the biggest reason for optimism after the team’s dismal start to the season.
He had his share of hiccups against the Bills’ relentless pressure behind a patched-together offensive line, but for the first time this season, his playmaking ability shone brighter than his mistakes.
"Josh [Allen] is unbelievable, but I felt like Drake went toe-to-toe with him," head coach Mike Vrabel said postgame.
For at least this one game, the two quarterbacks were once again in the same class.
The 2025 MVP runner-up threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns while adding 53 yards on the ground. However, he also coughed up the ball on a strip-sack when Buffalo’s defense ripped through backup left guard Ben Brown and threw a costly interception right before halftime. On that play, Maye threw low to receiver Romeo Doubs, who tried to log-roll and protect the ball, only to pop it into the air for another turnover.
Maye giveth, and sometimes, Maye still...giveth away.
Sunday’s version of their quarterback is one the Patriots can win with in 2026, though. Sure, there are plenty of nits to pick regarding his supporting cast: offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ play-calling went stale quickly, the running game was non-existent through three weeks, and both A.J. Brown and Mike Onwenu are on injured reserve. Given that chaos, any play with a spark of life seemed to die quickly. What came as a nasty surprise early on was how the young quarterback responded to those breakdowns—taking bad situations and making them unforgivably worse, too often resulting in points for the opponent.
The Patriots walked into Buffalo’s new Highmark Stadium on a wing and a prayer, coming off a 35–6 disaster in Jacksonville to face an undefeated 3–0 team led by Josh Allen. But almost a year ago to the day, in Week 5, a 2–2 New England squad earned a signature win in the old stadium on Monday Night Football, driven by an unstoppable connection between Maye and receiver Stefon Diggs that sparked a 10-game winning streak.
On Sunday, Maye turned to Diggs’ replacement, Romeo Doubs. While that connection remains a work in progress early in the season, the chemistry is trending upward. Maye synced up with Doubs for two touchdowns and two crucial fourth-down conversions. Doubs will take grief for the interception, but Maye didn't put his receiver in a position to succeed with that throw, either.
Above all, Maye put his team in position to beat one of the AFC’s best at the two-minute warning. He turned to second-year, undrafted free agent Efton Chism, who reeled in a one-handed touchdown grab—reminding everyone of another trademark Maye quality from 2025: if a guy is open, he’s getting the ball. There is no Tom Brady-style "trust tree" or doghouse in Maye’s offense. When Doubs contributed to the interception, he was still the first receiver Maye targeted after halftime.
"That's this position in the NFL," Maye said after the win. "You turn the ball over, you feel like you left plays out there. That's what happens. I have full trust in myself, and the times when my teammates came to pump me up this week was cool to see, and what makes this game so special."
The Patriots held on through a wild fourth quarter to improve to 2–2. Will an early win over Buffalo serve as the starting gun for another playoff run? There is a lot of football left to play, but after Sunday, hope floats for Maye and the Patriots.
