Primetime game. Versus an unbeaten divisional opponent. Pitted against the reigning NFL MVP at quarterback.
Call it the next checkpoint for Drake Maye.
Of course, the Patriots second-year quarterback could be walking into a nightmare in Buffalo. Maye might flop his first time out on the big stage going up against Josh Allen & Co.
Or, he could embrace the moment, rise up to the challenge, and brighten his star considerably during Sunday’s showdown between the Bills and Patriots.
ESPN analyst Damien Woody, who won two Super Bowls with the Patriots, believes this could be Maye’s magic moment in front of a national audience.
“Not a lot of people have seen Drake Maye play. Let’s just be honest. The Patriots have been bad. They’ve been bad for a few years,” Woody said, referencing the Patriots lack of primetime games in recent years. “A lot of people don’t know Drake Maye is having a really good season.
“I think this is a coming out party for the nation to see this young playmaker and what he can do at the quarterback position.”
Woody said he loves the way Maye has been playing of late, while adding this about his offensive coordinator: “Josh McDaniels is reminding everyone he’s still one of the elite play-callers that we have in the game.”
Maye, who will be making his 17th career start, has certainly shown signs of progress during the first four games.
Going up against the Bills, in this setting, should reveal a lot more about which direction Maye is headed.
Buffalo’s defense has given up the fewest passing yards (564) and explosive passing plays (5) in the league. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging a league-low 5.5 yards per pass attempt.
The Bills can be run on, as evidenced by them allowing 6.0 yards per carry. But with Allen slinging it on the other side, it figures that Maye will eventually have to do the same.
Sunday will be the biggest test of the season for the Patriots young signal caller. It will also be a chance for him to deliver his first signature win.
And, dare we say, set the wheels in motion for a Maye-Allen rivalry?
The days of Brady-Manning and Brady-Mahomes were so good. Tom Brady’s bouts with Peyton Manning and later, Patrick Mahomes, were legendary.
It’s easy to want more of that with Maye and Allen, and whoever else comes between him and the ultimate prize in years to come.
Less than two seasons in, Maye has played the part of a leading man. He ranks among the NFL league leaders – including Allen – in many of the important passing categories. He’s ranked first in completion percentage, sixth in passing yards, tied for eighth in passing touchdowns, sixth in completions, and fifth in passer rating.
“When you have a dude at quarterback like Maye, it changes the outlook on everything,” Woody said. “This is a great opportunity for New England to let Buffalo know, ‘Hey, the years of you just steamrolling through the division are over.”’
McDaniels doesn’t believe the moment, or the Bills defense will prove too much for his young quarterback to handle.
“I think any good player I’ve ever been around has followed that simple blueprint of taking each day for what it is, not making more of it or less of it than the next one, and he sticks to that plan,” the Patriots OC said Thursday. “Mistakes don’t get him down. He doesn’t get too high when he makes a great play, which I think is a great mindset for a young player to have, too. There’s not a whole lot that surprises me about the kid. I’m just excited to continue to watch his development.”
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, however, is looking at it from more of a team perspective. His words, however, also resonate with Maye.
“I think it’s important that we can take the next step, show that we are ready and that maybe some of our identity has a chance to let itself out on Sunday night,” he said. “But it’ll be a great challenge.”
Maye and the Patriots don’t necessarily have to beat the Bills in their first go-round. What they show against the perennial AFC East champs, how competitive they are, how Maye performs, will tell enough of the story. Outside of pulling off the upset, it will accomplish the mission for the time being.
Said Woody: “It’s a great opportunity in front of a national audience for Maye and the Patriots to tell people they’ve arrived, or at the very least, are on their way. They can make things that much more interesting within the division.”
The stage awaits.
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