The New England Patriots got themselves right back in the race for the top spot in the AFC East when they clobbered the Las Vegas Raiders at home, 45-17. It was a classic beatdown led by their resurgent young quarterback, Drake Maye.
Maye had his best game of 2026 in torching the Raiders up and down the field. One aspect of his game that reemerged was his long passing, as Pro Football Focus (PFF) noted.
Drake Maye on deep passes in Week 5
— PFF (@PFF) October 12, 2026
99.9 Pass Grade
149 Pass Yards
2 Pass TD
0 INT
149.3 Pass Rating pic.twitter.com/dK7JM9Df2h
His long-range passing was reminiscent of his 2025 MVP-level season. Rather than being grounded by injuries to his No. 1 receiver, A.J. Brown, and No. 2A, Mack Hollins, Maye used the talent he had and scorched the Raiders, sending them home with their second loss of the season.
New England Patriots' Drake Maye's long passing game is back
Onlookers can only revel in the fact that Maye's monster game and his deep passing, as noted by PFF, will be further enhanced when his best receiver, Brown, and one of his most reliable receivers, Hollins, return from injury.
Yet, even without those two stalwarts, he was exceptional. Clearly, even without Brown, the Patriots can connect on deep passes, and this has to be a major part of their game plan for the rest of the season.
Maye hit Pop Douglas for a 35-yard touchdown in the first quarter. In the third quarter, he dropped a perfect pass in the bucket to Kyle Williams for a 34-yard score. He also hit Williams, who had his best game as a Patriot, with another 49-yard connection.
Williams had 91 yards on only three catches, as he's emerging as a legitimate long-range target for Maye, who can break a game open with his speed.
The third-year quarterback was on fire, completing 76.5 percent of his passes for 374 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. It was a tour de force for Maye, who emphatically silenced all his knee-jerk, quick-to-write-him-off critics.
Maye deservedly received the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. He's back, and so is his deep passing game. It bodes well for the Patriots, who had to weather a grueling first four games (three away) before facing the 3-1 Raiders at home in Week 5.
Those first four games came against 2025 playoff teams. They finished 2-2, right about where expected. Now, with Maye's long-passing game locked in, the NFL has taken notice. The Patriots, myriad injuries and all, are a force to be reckoned with not only in the AFC East but across the conference.
And, when Brown and Hollins return, they're only going to get better.
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