The one number that stands out in 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 the attack all year, blitzing over 50 percent of the time a week ago in the win vs. Cleveland Sunday.
The past two weeks, Drake Maye and the Patriots have ignited offensively against a pair of passive defenses in the Raiders and Bills. With the line in a state of flux – left tackle Will Campbell was limited in practice on Wednesday – can New England handle the heat if the Jets bring it?
A different look from New York
“I think they’re physical. I think they have tenacity. I think they’ve got, I wouldn’t say a new ferociousness, but you can see the difference on tape from last year,” said Maye. “They have some new faces, some new mentality. I think they’re buying into how Coach (Aaron) Glenn wants to play defense, and I think you respect that. You can see that on film. It pops out to you.”
Maye’s resurgence – one interception, seven TD passes in the last two games – has been a product of the New England offense finding its best stride.
Spreading the football out
He hit nine different receivers on Sunday against the Raiders and looked extremely comfortable throwing the deep ball. Maye averaged 11 yards per attempt.
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
“I’m just trying to base it on whatever the defense feels like that gives us opportunities to make plays. I’m trying to get it to the first guy open,” the QB said. “It’s what Coach (Mike) Vrabel always says, ‘Keep it that simple. First guy open, throw it to him and let him run.’ I’ve been trying to buy into that. It’s just trying to find positive plays, and I feel like we’ve done that these past couple of weeks.”
Time is essential
The offensive cohesion that New England showed Sunday with Maye getting extra time in the pocket as 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 are also pointing to New England picking up a key piece as wide receiver A.J. Brown returned to practice on Wednesday after missing the past four games with an ankle injury.
