Andrew Callahan wrote and article today, telling Drake Maye to ‘steer into the skid at Buffalo’. Because it’s behind a paywall, I’ll share a few excerpts here:
“Drake Maye, once the face of everything glowing about this franchise, is now the driver and engine of their failures. Maye needs to, in Mike Vrabel’s words, loosen his grip. And as far as Sunday’s game in Buffalo is concerned, it’s time to steer into the skid.
Before Maye can put his team back on the road to contention, he needs to regain control and align himself with the direction of the season, which is trending toward the Patriots, for now, becoming a defensive team. A team that plays a more conservative style to minimize mistakes and prioritize. Until Maye proves he can do that, there’s no use in hoping he can put on his Superman cape and do more.
Because as the old Bobby Knight axiom goes, before you can win, you must first eliminate the things that drive losing. And Maye’s turnovers are at the top of the Patriots’ list with a bullet. …
… the simplest solution is to embrace the throwaway when he’s under pressure. Flinging the ball through the end zone instead of into the hands of Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter before halftime would have given the Patriots a manageable 14-6 deficit at half. He can no longer force plays in high-leverage moments, no matter how badly he wants to rescue the offense or how quickly his support is falling apart or how well the play may have worked in practice.
If it’s covered, just chuck it, because this subset of Maye’s turnovers, giveaways made inside the red zone and the fourth quarter, is killing the Patriots’ chances more than anything else. …
… It’s time to apply a timeless, boring lesson even Tom Brady embraced in his final Patriots season to help keep a defensive 2019 team afloat. Over the second half of that season, Brady ranked among the least efficient quarterbacks in the league. But by avoiding picks and fumbles, he let the NFL’s stingiest defense carry the Patriots, and it did, right up until Brady only scored 13 points in a Wild Card playoff loss.
As it stands now, this Patriots defense is armed and ready to do the same. …
Live to see another down, so you can fight to win another game.“
Patriots-Bills Week 4 Injury Report.
Evan Lazar’s Patriots Gameplan: what is the best approach for New England to beat the Bills in Week 4? Defense Key: Match the ‘bully ball’ Bills identity in the trenches, run game; More.
Roster Move: Patriots sign OL Da’Metrius Weatherspoon to the practice squad.
Week 4 Game Preview: Mike Dussault & Evan Lazar break down Pats-Bills upcoming matchup. (8 min video)
Patriots Unfiltered: Bills preview, injury/depth concerns, team updates/moves. (2 hours)
Thomas Murphy posts his Monster Keys to Patriots victory over the Bills. 1. “I do see a way through. A narrow way.” 1. Crush and contain. ‘Pressure – pressure – pressure.’; More.
Ethan Hurwitz spotlights 2 players who will need to step up this week; OLs Ben Brown and Walter Rouse both say they’re ready.
Doug Kyed says according to a source, the Patriots are signing veteran OL Matt Pryor away from Cardinals.
Ethan Hurwitz tells us what the Patriots are getting in newly-signed OL Matt Pryor.
Doug Kyed talks about how the Pats plan to replace their latest injured starter on the offensive line.
Karen Guregian suggests Buffalo might be the perfect place for Drake Maye to snap out of it.
Ethan Hurwitz looks at whether Drake Maye’s shoulder is actually bothering him.
Andrew Callahan reports OLB Harold Landry is eligible to practice this week, but will remain sidelined as he continues to rehab from his knee surgery.
Brian Ferzoco says now is when Patriots coaches and leaders earn their money.
Jerry Thornton highlights Mike Vrabel reminding us all he came here just to coach Drake Maye. Bonus: Here’s what’s wrong with the McOffense that ISN’T Maye’s fault.
Mark Daniels’ Patriots Takeaways: Mike Vrabel denies rift with Drake Maye after WEEI report
Lauren Campbell relays Mike Vrabel refuting the “report” there are issues between him and Drake Maye.
Meghan Ottolini gets clarification from players that there was no ‘players only’ meeting: ’It’s not a panic in here.’
Danny Jaillett finds Will Campbell is riding with Drake Maye until the wheels fall off.
Conor Ryan relays Bills defensive coordinator on Drake Maye, “You’re watching a guy now that you can tell he’s going through some stuff and struggling a little bit.” /Don’t need Buffalo’s pity, lol
Nick Shook (NFL) Patriots’ Drake Maye: Shoulder not impacting throws; no rift with HC Mike Vrabel.
Eva Geitheim (SI) The biggest question for every Week 4 game. Patriots-Bills: Can the Patriots run the ball against the Bills? /Click for commentary.
Matt Verderame (SI) Week 4 Notes: Trevor Lawrence’s ascension among the best storylines; Plus, what the odds mean for undefeated and winless teams to make the playoffs.
Nick Shook (NFL) QB rankings, Week 4. Drake Maye 31st in Tier 6 “Searching for answers”. “Drake Maye is the most lost of all…“
Anthony Gharib (ESPN) NFL Week 4 uniforms. Pats: Silver helmet, white jersey.
Grant Gordon (NFL) Steelers trade CB Joey Porter Jr. to Cowboys in exchange for second-, sixth-round picks.
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MMQB Staff (SI) Week 4 picks from the MMQB staff. All 8 pick Bills to win.
Mike Kadlick (SI) NFL Week 4 schedule 2026: Ranking all 16 games from worst to best. Pats-Bills 6th. /Click for more “What has happened to Drake Maye?” commentary.
Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) NFL Week 4 picks. Bills win 30-20.
Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) Week 4 upset alert: Why these five favorites could easily lose. No Pats.
