The last time the Buffalo Bills played the New England Patriots, it served as a turning point in both teams’ seasons.
Buffalo lost 23-20 — its first defeat of the year — and suffered another unexpected loss the following week to the Atlanta Falcons. Since that game, the Bills have gone 5-4 and left some fans questioning whether or not they are legit Super Bowl contenders.
Conversely, that Bills victory served as a launching pad for the Patriots’ remarkable 10-game win streak.
They’re one of only two teams to reach the 11-win mark through the first 13 weeks of the season (the Denver Broncos are the other), and it’s the first time New England has hit 11 or more wins in a season since Tom Brady’s final year with the franchise in 2019.
Drake Maye Has a Message for Josh Allen
GettyBuffalo Bills QB Josh Allen embraces New England Patriots QB Drake Maye
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye upstaged Bills QB Josh Allen in their first meeting.
He bested the reigning MVP in passing yards (273 to 253), he didn’t turn the ball over, and he posted a QBR nearly double Allen’s (72.3 to 48.7).
But ahead of Sunday’s rematch in Foxborough, Maye wasn’t reminiscing about what happened eight weeks ago. In fact, he credited Allen for helping him raise his level of play, admitting he’s actually a fan of the 29-year-old signal-caller.
“It’s a little different when you’re playing the MVP,” Maye said during a radio interview with WEEI. “One of the best players in the league… Shoot, I hate to say it, but he’s fun to watch when he’s playing. Big fan of him off the field… He’s been great to me.”
In the eight games since their last meeting, Maye has taken off in the MVP race, while Allen is right on the bubble.
The 23-year-old Maye has thrown for 2,151 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions with a 115.5 passer rating. Allen has thrown for 1,866 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions with a 98.6 passer rating.
Maye currently has the second-best MVP odds (+200) behind only Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (-180), while Allen is fourth at (+1400), according to BetMGM.
Mike Vrabel Had Words for Allen Too
GettyNew England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
While Maye’s insane level of play is one of the reasons for the Patriots’ impressive turnaround (they were 4-13 last season), so too is the addition of head coach Mike Vrabel, who replaced Jerod Mayo after just one season.
After spending a season on the sideline after getting fired by the Tennessee Titans, Vrabel jumped back into the head-coaching game with the team he won three Super Bowl rings with and made his only All-Pro and Pro Bowl team.
Vrabel spent six seasons in Tennessee, so he saw Allen turning the Bills franchise around firsthand. He knows beating Allen the second time around is going to be a tough task for his team given Allen’s track record.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Josh and his ability to make something out of nothing,” Vrabel said on Monday. “Huge challenge going against a quarterback that’s under control, he’s got command, and he just doesn’t look panicked or rattled when you rush him or get into the right play call. Just an excellent MVP quarterback.”
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