Whereas the Buffalo Bills have received the AFC East division title for the previous 5 seasons, the 6-2 New England Patriots will enter Week 9 holding a slight lead over 5-2 Buffalo within the standings.
Underneath first-year Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, second-year quarterback Drake Maye has emerged as a powerful MVP candidate. In an article printed on Friday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler talked with a number of NFL executives about whether or not they imagine the Patriots are a “actual” contender this fall.
One government “not fairly able to cross the torch” concerning Patriots-Payments struggle
“I feel the quarterback is actual,” one unnamed AFC government mentioned whereas referencing Maye. “He retains getting higher. He has a wonderful OC who will get each drop out of that offense. And Vrabes has them taking part in good crew soccer. I am not fairly able to cross the torch now.”
Such an opinion is comprehensible provided that Payments quarterback Josh Allen is the reigning MVP and has made 13 career playoff begins. In fact, Maye has not but performed in a playoff sport, however he did lead New England to a 23-20 upset victory in Buffalo on Oct. 5.
In accordance with Pro Football Reference stats, Maye ended October ranked fifth within the NFL amongst certified gamers with a 76.0 adjusted QBR, second with a 118.7 passer ranking and first with a 75.2 p.c completion proportion for the season. Per StatMuse, he is tied for fourth within the league with 17 mixed passing and dashing touchdowns, and he’s third with 2,276 mixed passing and dashing yards.
What considerations one government about Patriots’ try and topple Payments?
The Patriots are reportedly among the many groups looking for a pass-rusher earlier than the Nov. 4 commerce deadline. Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals and Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants are two gamers beforehand related with New England who reportedly will not be traded this fall.
“I feel they’re a yr away from being actually good,” a special AFC government added concerning the Patriots. “The protection is not all the best way there but. However the offensive line is exhibiting promise, and the quarterback is selecting issues up actually quick. He is not near his ceiling.”
If Maye will get nearer to that ceiling within the subsequent two months, the Patriots would possibly safe the AFC’s prime general seed for the playoffs.
