The Patriots walk into Sunday’s AFC East matchup with the Jets carrying a two-game win streak, fresh off a 45-17 rout of the Raiders. If New England is going to keep rolling, a handful of players are likely to decide how this one goes.
Start with Drake Maye, because the Patriots’ offense has looked very different since his early-season struggles. After opening the year with seven interceptions and only one touchdown pass, the 24-year-old has flipped the script in a major way. He has thrown seven touchdowns over his last two games, and New England needs that sharper version of its quarterback to show up again.
“He looked very calm,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said about Maye's performance last week. “Again, when we give him clean pockets, he's very accurate down the field.
He maybe only had a few, I would say, wrong decisions or where he wanted to go with the football. Just seemed very in control, very confident.
When he felt like he needed to run, he was decisive.”
Maye should also have another important piece back in the mix. Stefon Diggs was officially activated off injured reserve on Saturday and is expected to play in just his second game as a Patriot. He has not been on the field long enough to settle in fully, and Sunday will be a good test of how quickly he can reconnect with the offense after missing four weeks with a high-ankle sprain suffered against the Seahawks.
“It’s always a warm welcome in the huddle to have him back in there,” Maye said on Wednesday when asked about Brown. “So, looking forward to seeing him progress, and it's always great seeing him back out there. I think you would have to ask him how he felt, but I think it's good to see him back out there, that's for sure.”
Up front and in the trenches, Milton Williams has been one of the Patriots’ most important pieces even if the numbers don’t jump off the page. The 27-year-old interior lineman has drawn one of the highest double-team rates in the league at his position, and with Jets starter Breece Hall out because of a quad injury, Williams will be central to slowing down New York’s ground game, which now leans on Braelon Allen.
On the edge, Harold Ponder has become one of the most surprising breakout performers in the NFL. The 24-year-old had just four sacks in 15 games as a rookie last season, but he already has 4.5 sacks in five games this year. His 94.2 defensive PFF grade last week was the best in the league, and the big question now is whether the Jets can start to solve him or whether he keeps wrecking plays in the backfield.
There is also uncertainty on the offensive line, where Campbell is questionable because of the knee injury he suffered last week. New England still does not know whether Campbell or rookie Caleb Lomu will start on Sunday. Lomu, in his first extended action last week, gave up only one pressure across 49 snaps.
“Will's from the South, so he's tough,” Maye said on Wednesday of Lomu. “I think you respect guys, especially the offensive line, for how much wear and tear they go through.
I mean, I'm sure all five guys are going through something. Realizing that Will wanted to get back in there, so just props to him and a lot of our guys for how they face injuries this year.”
In Other News...
Patriots Could Get A.J. Brown Back For Jets At Perfect Time
A.J. Browns return could give the Patriots a timely boost heading into their meeting with the Jets, with the veteran receiver expected to be activated from injured reserve after working back into practice. Brown has been out since Week 1 because of a high ankle sprain, and his progress this week has put him on track to rejoin the lineup after a stretch in which New England has had to adjust without one of its more proven playmakers.
Mike Vrabel has not locked anything in just yet, however, making clear Browns availability still hinges on how he comes through Fridays practice. Brown has sounded optimistic about getting back on the field, and for a Patriots team looking for any edge in a division matchup, his presence would come at a welcome moment if he checks the final box. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Suddenly Have A Week 6 Question Jets Fans Will Notice
The Patriots are heading into Week 6 with a healthier-looking roster than theyve had in recent weeks, and that matters with the Jets coming to town. A.J. Brown is expected to be activated off injured reserve, Christian Gonzalez has said hes ready after missing time with an injury, and New England is also expecting help from a couple of other important pieces as it tries to steady itself in the division.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson and offensive tackle Will Campbell both appear on track to suit up, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, which would give the Patriots a boost in both the backfield and up front. Hendersons return is especially notable after his ankle situation left some doubt around his availability, and the way New England manages those returns could shape how it handles a Jets defense eager to test whatever rust remains. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Fans Already Trust One Fill-In Option If Left Tackle Changes
Will Campbells knee injury briefly put the Patriots in a spot theyd rather avoid, but rookie Caleb Lomu gave them at least one encouraging answer. After Campbell exited early and was limited in practice, Lomu stepped in at left tackle and held up well in pass protection, giving New England a usable option if the line has to absorb another adjustment heading into this week.
The larger takeaway is that Patriots fans do not seem to view the position as a panic point, even with the uncertainty around Campbells availability. A recent fan survey found a majority believe Lomu can handle fill-in duty at left tackle, and a sizable chunk are especially confident in him, which says plenty about how quickly he has earned trust in a spot that usually makes supporters nervous. [Read more 🡒]