The New England Patriots dreamed of nights like this when they drafted Drake Maye.

Sunday night in Buffalo, as he led the Patriots to a 23-20 victory against the previously unbeaten Bills, Maye looked like the NFL’s next great quarterback. Of course, he’ll need to play at that level consistently to keep himself in that particular conversation, but to those who have watched him closely, it wasn’t a surprise to see him look completely unfazed by the moment while going throw for throw with reigning MVP Josh Allen. Maye finished his night having completed 22 of 30 passes for 273 yards to become the first opposing QB to win in Buffalo since Patrick Mahomes in the 2023 postseason.

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“He looked great — comfortable and poised,” said a rival executive, who was granted anonymity so he could speak openly. “He has all the physical tools to be special.”

Maye has looked electric at times this season, but he hadn’t really been tested — at least not to the degree he was Sunday night. It’s a whole lot more important to light it up in a hostile environment against a division rival than it was to throw it all over the yard in prior victories against the Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers.

It was abundantly clear in the second half how coach Mike Vrabel, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and the Patriots felt about Maye when they approved his takeover.