New England's 29-26 upset over Buffalo was not just a redemption story for Drake Maye, because the Patriots' defense also deserves significant credit for altering its strategy against Josh Allen. They reduced their use of man coverage, disguised their defensive looks, and kept more defenders focused on the quarterback instead of chasing receivers across the field. This adjustment helped contain one of the league’s most potent offenses. Meanwhile, Maye delivered the performance that New England had been waiting for, throwing for 269 yards and three touchdowns, adding 54 yards on the ground, and making several crucial plays when the game tightened in the final moments.
However, one game does not erase previous struggles. Maye entered the matchup against Buffalo with seven interceptions and only one touchdown through three games, and even in the upset, he lost a fumble and threw another interception, leaving enough errors on film to prevent anyone from claiming his early-season issues are resolved. What changed was his ability to respond to those mistakes without playing too conservatively, which was more important than a perfect stat line because New England finally seemed comfortable letting its quarterback make plays when needed.
Las Vegas will be the next test to see if that newfound confidence can withstand the pressure from a defense that has proven to be more formidable than its pre-season reputation suggested.
Raiders pressure will tell us whether Drake Maye actually turned a corner
The Raiders hold a 3-1 record, even after conceding 30 points to Kansas City in Week 4. Their defense has established an identity based on pressure and takeaways, amassing 12 sacks over the first four games and entering Foxborough with a positive turnover differential. Statistically, their pass defense is among the best in the league. While Kansas City did expose some issues with explosive plays, particularly in the second half when the game opened up, Las Vegas has consistently succeeded in making quarterbacks uncomfortable rather than relying solely on coverage.
A key player in this effort is Maxx Crosby, who, despite only recording half a sack in Week 4, was a significant disruptor, finishing with five quarterback hits that repeatedly affected the timing of the Chiefs’ passing game. New England has already allowed 10 sacks this season, so protecting quarterback Maye against a defense capable of generating pressure without blitzing is a central concern for Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
The positive for the Patriots is that Buffalo showed Maye doesn’t need a perfect pocket to succeed. His 54 rushing yards were not just meaningless stats from designed runs after the outcome was decided because his mobility allowed him to escape pressure, reset plays, and keep the Bills accountable for every part of the field. This is especially important against a defense that aims to make the quarterback feel rushed.
Las Vegas will aim to exploit that aggression, and they forced five turnovers in their first two games and added four more during their Week 3 comeback against New Orleans, demonstrating their ability to punish quarterbacks when protection falters and throws come under pressure. Maye has already shown this September that he can become overly ambitious in such situations, sometimes attempting to salvage a drive when it might be wiser to throw the ball away, check down, or even take a sack. This Sunday's game is more than just a test of whether Maye can throw three more touchdowns. If his progress is genuine, it should be evident in his decision-making—fewer risky throws when Crosby collapses the pocket and a greater willingness to let New England's offense survive for another down.
New England cannot ask Maye to recreate Buffalo by himself
After a breakout game, there’s a temptation to view the quarterback as if he has solved all problems, but New England would be mistaken to put even more pressure on Maye. The Raiders allow 134.5 rushing yards per game, one of the weakest statistics in the league. This presents a clear opportunity for the Patriots to exploit the softer part of the defense and prevent Las Vegas from turning every obvious passing situation into a contest between Crosby and the offensive line.
Article Continues BelowMaintaining balance is crucial, rather than simply chasing another impressive passing performance. Maye threw 37 times in Buffalo due to the demands of the game, but the Patriots would prefer a scenario where their rushing attack avoids third-and-long situations, allowing play-action to disrupt the Raiders’ defensive front. New England has already demonstrated an ability to move the ball efficiently without relying on the quarterback to make explosive plays every possession, and the emergence of several reliable targets has made this strategy more viable.
Romeo Doubs caught two touchdowns against Buffalo, Efton Chism III scored the go-ahead touchdown with an impressive one-handed catch, and Hunter Henry made a crucial late first-down catch that ultimately kept the ball away from Allen. This distribution of targets is especially important against a defense that can alter its look after the snap, allowing pressure to dictate where the ball goes would make it much harder for the Patriots to attack Las Vegas.
The main question surrounding Maye is less about his ability to maintain impressive stats and more about whether Buffalo marked the beginning of a more controlled style of play for him. So, he truly doesn’t need another 269-yard, three-touchdown performance to prove his progress, especially against an opponent that has been effective in generating pressure and forcing turnovers throughout its 3-1 start.
A more composed 230-yard game with two touchdowns, minimal negative plays, and a few useful scrambles would provide New England with much more insight into its quarterback than merely chasing the numbers from Week 4. The Raiders are capable of punishing mistakes that Buffalo didn’t fully exploit, making this a perfect follow-up test. And yes, if Maye can maintain the confidence he showed last season while eliminating some of the recklessness that characterized his performances, the breakout against Buffalo could signify something more meaningful than just one great game.