The New England Patriots just pulled off a wild 29-26 upset against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4, and suddenly, their whole season looks like it might have a pulse after a really rough start. That win wasn’t just a notch in the column; it felt like a jolt of pure energy for a team that desperately needed it.
Maye Woke Up, And So Did New England
Before this game, the Pats were 1-2, and Drake Maye was NOT looking like the MVP runner-up he was last season. The dude had six interceptions coming into this matchup! Plus, the run game was “up-and-down” and the receiving corps hadn’t “hit its stride.” It was a mess, honestly.
But against Buffalo? Maye cleaned it up. He dropped 269 passing yards, tossed three touchdowns, and only had one pick. He was navigating the pocket with precision, making smart scrambling decisions, and throwing passes “on the money.” His execution was “commendable from start to finish.” Yeah, he had three fumbles, but two were recovered, so we’ll take it!
And let’s talk about that defense! The Bills’ offense averages over 33 points per game, a high-octane machine! But New England’s front kept James Cook III from exploding for a huge day and limited Josh Allen to just one passing touchdown and a paltry four rushing yards in the game. That’s a major boost, not just for the offense but the D, too. With Maye back to form, and Romeo Doubs now having two highly-productive games thanks to his two-touchdown performance against Buffalo, things are really looking up for the Patriots after this statement win.
Four Games That Could Turn The Tide For The Patriots
This victory couldn’t have come at a better time. The Patriots are heading into what’s being called their “easiest four-game slate of the season.” We’re talking upcoming matchups against the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Miami Dolphins from Weeks 5-8.
Now, don’t sleep on the Raiders in Week 5. Vegas is 3-1, with a great defense led by defensive coordinator Rob Leonard and an offense that’s been playing “incredibly well” to start the season. Still, the Patriots are “expected to win” the game and build some real momentum.
After that, the Jets are one of the team’s “most favorable matchups of the year.” Then, a meeting against a Bears team that *might* be without star quarterback Caleb Williams due to injury. And talk about favorable: the Dolphins are sitting at 0-4 right now, making that their “most favorable matchup of the year.”
If the Patriots can win out these next four games, or even just snag no more than one loss, they’ll be “positioned well in the playoff race in the AFC.” That would be a serious jolt before their schedule gets tougher. This Bills win? It absolutely “figures to springboard the Patriots into a much better record down the line.”
So, all eyes on Week 5. Can they keep the momentum rolling against the 3-1 Raiders? This stretch is everything for New England. It’s time to see if this upset was a fluke or the real turning point they desperately needed.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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