Gillette Stadium will be buzzing Sunday afternoon because the Patriots are coming home with their offense roaring. New England blasted the Raiders 45-17 last week, and quarterback Drake Maye threw four touchdown passes while also running for a score. Now the 3-2 Patriots face a different kind of challenge: a Jets team that just fought its way to a tough 17-12 win over Cleveland and needs another victory to stay close in the race.

This Week 6 meeting is a chapter in two very different journeys. Last season, New England rose from a four-win team to a Super Bowl runner-up. The Patriots want to prove that surprise run was the start of something big. The Jets went 3-14 a year ago and are trying to build a steadier future around veteran quarterback Geno Smith, star receiver Garrett Wilson and, if healthy, speedy running back Breece Hall.

Maye is the main character in this matchup. He can fire deep throws, zip quick passes to his targets and escape trouble with his legs. He has already rushed for 161 yards, which shows why defenders cannot simply chase him down. New England averages more than 372 yards per game, giving it a clear edge over a Jets offense that has averaged 284. The Patriots can attack in many ways, with Rhamondre Stevenson providing tough, powerful runs and Hunter Henry offering a dependable target near the goal line.

A.J. Brown could add another big body to that attack, but his ankle makes his status worth watching after limited practice. New England also has injury questions along its offensive line and in its secondary. Those missing pieces matter because the Patriots have given the ball away too often this season. Maye has thrown seven interceptions, and New England has lost the turnover battle overall. A hot offense can cool quickly if the Jets create takeaways.

That is where Smith and Wilson can make this game interesting. Wilson has 31 catches and three touchdowns in five games, making him New York’s most dangerous weapon. He wins with quick routes, sharp cuts and reliable hands. Smith has brought experience to the offense, but the Jets need to turn more drives into touchdowns. They average only 18.6 points per game, while New England scores 22.

Hall’s health may shape everything. He is doubtful with a quadriceps injury, and the Jets need his burst as both a runner and pass catcher. Without him, New York may lean even harder on Smith to find Wilson against a Patriots defense that allows fewer than 300 yards per game. If cornerback Christian Gonzalez can play through his shoulder issue, his battle with Wilson could be the game’s brightest one-on-one showdown.

The Jets have shown they can win close, gritty games, and their plus-three edge in takeaways shows they protect the ball better than New England. Still, the Patriots bring more firepower, home-field energy and the stronger recent performance. Prediction: Drake Maye and the Patriots win, but the Jets can keep it tense if they force mistakes.

Drake Maye and the Patriots Bring Their Fast Start Home Against the Jets