The start of the 2026 NFL season couldn't be going worse for the Patriots if they tried. Not only are they dealing with a growing list of injuries, which already includes 17 players on injured reserve, but their quarterback, who was an MVP frontrunner last year, is struggling and putting them in a position to lose far more than to win.
Heading into a Week 4 matchup in Buffalo couldn't be happening at a better time for the Bills, who are riding high on their undefeated start and hope to regain the home-field advantage the Patriots took from them in 2025.
With Christian Barmore and Christian Gonzalez out, and Maye's struggles expected to continue without a superstar receiver, a run game, or an iffy offensive line, the Bills could be in for a massive statement win.
That's at least the current prediction from most analysts and fans, but it's not exactly how the Bills see the game going. Their defensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard, acknowledged that Maye is struggling, but given how good he was last season, he's not ruling out the possibility that this week could be the game where he returns to form.
He just hopes it isn't.
The Bills are counting on Drake Maye continuing his current struggles on Sunday
While speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend's game, Leonhard was asked about Maye's struggles and how they might affect their preparation for the matchup.
As expected, he applauded the young quarterback for his stellar performance during the 2025 season, exclaiming he played at a "really high level" all season. He then discussed his current struggles, while also acknowledging that he's still making some impressive throws, which he hopes doesn't mean he will get out of the funk he's in this week.
"You’re watching a guy now that you can tell he’s going through some stuff and struggling a little bit, but at the same time he drops back and hits his top step and lets one rip, and it’s an explosive play. So you just have to put some pressure on them and hope that the trend continues.
But you know, great players are eventually going to come out the other side. You just hope it’s after you play them.”
The last time these teams met in Buffalo, the Patriots stole a close win, with Maye completing 22/30 passes for 273 yards while having Stefon Diggs as his No. 1 receiver. The former Bills star caught 10 passes for 146 yards in what many called his revenge game, helping the Patriots escape with a 23-20 win.
It was the first time the Patriots won in Western New York in almost four years, and the first of a handful of games in which Diggs recorded 100+ receiving yards.
His performance made all the difference, especially since he didn't throw any interceptions or fumble the football, which has been his biggest issue over the last three weeks.
Those are factors the Bills will hope will continue, as Leonhard alluded to, and if they do, the Bills will have an easier time getting another win than any Patriots fan would hope. It would move them to 1-3, with little optimism that the rest of the season can pivot in a better direction.
Much of that pressure falls on Maye alone, even if other factors contribute to his struggles.
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