For a Week 6 game, the Patriots have a lot at stake when the Jets come to town on Sunday. In years past, this wouldn't be a game circled on anyone's calendar, since the Jets haven't been real competition for New England in decades.
But given how the Patriots' season started and how it looks now, the pressure is on to get another win.
Much of that falls on Drake Maye, who fell just one vote shy of winning the MVP Award at just 23 years old last season. That meant expectations skyrocketed going into Year 3, and he floundered under the pressure, losing a lot of confidence.
That appeared to change when he beat the Bills in Buffalo in Week 4, just as he did in 2025 when they visited their biggest rival in Week 5. He put on an even more impressive performance against the Raiders last Sunday, beating them 45-7, and hopes to carry that momentum into another divisional matchup this weekend.
As a result, the quarterback is set to be tested at a level he hasn't faced yet, as the team needs him to maintain his current level of play to have a real chance at making the playoffs this season.
That means Maye can't let it fall apart. Otherwise, it won't just be the division getting out of reach.
Drake Maye is facing a lot of pressure to keep the Patriots afloat in Week 6
For any NFL team, the quarterback's play almost always dictates the game. When they can't move the ball downfield or if they turn the ball over, the defense has to keep the score within reach. But when they can't, the quarterback takes most of the blame, which isn't entirely unfair.
In Maye's case, his struggles in the first three games were largely due to his performance, though much of it could be attributed to factors such as a failed running game, inconsistent protection from his offensive line, and receivers unable to create separation.
Regardless, Maye faced heavy criticism early on, with some demanding the Patriots bench him and questioning whether his MVP-caliber 2025 season was just a fluke. To avoid that narrative from returning, he will need to keep performing at the high level we've seen over the last two games.
The Jets would typically be a great team to face to ensure that happens, and it's certainly possible that's what we will see.
However, they currently have a much improved defense than the Patriots have faced in the past, particularly with rookie David Bailey emerging as a legitimate threat over the last two weeks, and that's going to put far more pressure on the Patriots' offense than in their previous matchups.
Proving he can handle mounting pressure and keep playing at the level needed to win games will be crucial for Maye this week and the rest of the season. The Patriots will be counting on him to keep their Super Bowl window open, so if he fails, the rest of the team will, too.
It should be a good week for him to gain more confidence and get one step closer to sweeping the Jets again, and hopefully, that's what he will do.
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