That includes a Patriots team that has gone just 8-3 against Buffalo going back to 2020, including a blowout loss in the playoffs. The goal is clear: for the Patriots to return to the top, they need to become more competitive against the class of the division. “It’s a great gauge for us,” said quarterback Drake Maye ahead of Sunday’s meeting between the two teams. That day, Maye was pulled after one three-and-out series while his team went on to win 23-16. “We’ve got a long season ahead, but this is a great checkpoint to see what we’ve got and what we can handle.”