The New England Patriots have quietly turned into one of the NFL’s most compelling stories this season. A 10-game win streak doesn’t just happen by accident-it’s the result of a team finding its identity, and doing it faster than anyone expected.
At the heart of that transformation? A budding connection between offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and rookie quarterback Drake Maye that’s maturing in real time.
Maye has been growing week by week, but he’s not doing it alone. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson has burst onto the scene with the kind of impact that makes you think the backfield might already belong to him.
He’s running with purpose, vision, and the kind of burst that’s hard to teach. Add in the steady presence of tight end Hunter Henry, who’s quietly become a critical piece in the passing game, and this Patriots offense is starting to look like a unit that can do serious damage.
But let’s talk about the X-factor: Stefon Diggs.
When New England brought Diggs in, there were plenty of questions around the league. Coming off an ACL injury, with whispers that his best days might be behind him, most teams passed.
The Patriots didn’t-and that decision has paid off in a big way. Midseason, Diggs rattled off back-to-back 100-yard games and added another in Week 11 against the Jets.
He looked like the Diggs of old-sharp in his routes, explosive after the catch, and a nightmare for defensive backs.
But over the past month, his snap counts have taken a noticeable dip. That’s raised a few eyebrows, especially after the offense stumbled last week. Whether it’s a health concern or a shift in McDaniels’ play-calling, one thing is clear: this offense needs more of Stefon Diggs, not less.
The Patriots are heading into a matchup against the Ravens, and if there’s ever a time to reintroduce Diggs as a focal point, it’s now.
Yes, the Ravens defense brings plenty of challenges-Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry on the other side of the ball will test New England’s defense all night-but their secondary is where the Patriots can strike. Baltimore plays man coverage at one of the highest rates in the league (31.6%), and they’re giving up 233.3 passing yards per game. That’s not just a stat-it’s an opportunity.
Diggs thrives against man coverage. He’s one of the league’s premier route-runners, and when you leave him one-on-one, you’re playing with fire.
The Patriots need to lean into that. Last week against the Bills, Diggs was largely a non-factor despite torching them for 146 yards in their first meeting.
Double coverage played a role, sure, but that can’t be an excuse to go away from him entirely.
This week, the game plan has to feature Diggs early and often. McDaniels needs to scheme him open, move him around the formation, and make it impossible for the Ravens to ignore him.
If they do, it opens up everything else-especially for a player like DeMario Douglas, who’s quietly become one of the most intriguing weapons on this roster. Douglas brings a spark, a shiftiness that complements Diggs perfectly, and he could be a sneaky difference-maker if the Ravens overcommit to stopping the veteran wideout.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: if the Patriots want to extend this win streak, they’re going to have to keep pace with a Ravens offense that can score in bunches. That puts pressure on Maye to deliver in a big-time environment. And when you’re asking a rookie quarterback to shoulder that kind of load, you give him every advantage possible-starting with a proven playmaker like Diggs.
This isn’t just a good matchup for Diggs. It’s the kind of matchup where he can take over a game.
The Patriots know it. The Ravens know it.
Now it’s on McDaniels and Maye to make sure the rest of us see it on Sunday night.