The only number that stands out from Week 6 with the Jets coming to town is 38 percent, the blitz percentage for New York this season.
Aaron Glenn’s defense has been on offense all year, blitzing more than 50 percent of the time a week ago in Sunday’s win over Cleveland.
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Over the past two weeks, Drake Maye and the Patriots have heated up offensively against a pair of passive Raiders and Bills defenses. With the line in flux — left tackle Will Campbell was limited in practice Wednesday — can New England handle the Heat if the Jets bring it in?
A different look from New York
“I think they’re physical. I think they have toughness. I think they have, I wouldn’t say a new ferocity, but you can see the difference on tape compared to last year,” Maye said. “They have new faces, new mentality. I think they buy into the way coach (Aaron) Glenn wants to play defense, and I think you respect that. You can see it on film. It jumps out at you.”
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Maye’s resurgence – one interception, seven touchdown passes in the last two games – is the result of New England’s offense improving.
Spread the football
He hit nine different receivers Sunday against the Raiders and looked extremely comfortable throwing the ball deep. Maye averaged 11 yards per attempt.
September 7, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) react after the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory credit: Images by Brian Fluharty-ImagnBrian Fluharty-Imagn Images
“I just try to go by what the defense feels, what gives us opportunities to make plays. I try to get the first guy open,” the QB said. “That’s what coach (Mike) Vrabel always says: ‘Keep it simple. The first guy gets open, throw it to him and let him run.’ I tried to adhere to it. It’s just about trying to find positive plays, and I feel like we’ve done that the last few weeks. »
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Time is essential
The offensive cohesion New England showed Sunday with Maye getting extra time in the pocket while tight end Hunter Henry and running back Rhamondre Stevenson first helped in protection before hitting their pass routes proved to be the perfect elixir.
Signs also point to New England gaining a key piece as wide receiver AJ Brown returned to practice Wednesday after missing the last four games with an ankle injury.
This story was originally published by Athlon on October 15, 2026, where he first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as Favorite source by clicking here.
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