Led by Drake Maye, the Patriots have their first 3-game win streak since 2022

Mike Vrabel has made it clear to his players that he won t shy away from calling them out about things they need to correct He also doesn t want to miss an opportunity to praise them Give them all competition balls on me Vrabel shouted as he wrapped his postgame speech in the locker room following the Patriots - win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday It was New England s third consecutive domination something the Patriots - haven t achieved since It also improved their road mark to - which Vrabel reported his young organization should celebrate I think that there s a good balance that can be had from these guys still knowing that they can play better and they can do particular things Vrabel explained So there s good stuff and then I just want them to be able to embrace that then enjoy that and then understand that there s another challenge on the road here this week again Second-year quarterback Drake Maye has played at an elite level during the streak He threw for a season-best three touchdowns at New Orleans and it was his third straight encounter without an interception I think it s trying to prove over and over again that you ll be consistent and doing that you ll know to be smart with the football Maye noted How things are coming together offensively isn t a surprise to Maye s teammates I know what he can do he s been balling and doing his thing And that confidence is growing receiver DeMario Douglas announced The band is behind him and you can see it how we play for him get open for him and make life easier for him What s working There is clearly a lot of rapport between Maye and his receivers He spread the ball around to seven players on Sunday I think Drake trusts all of us I think that s the biggest thing the quarterback trusting his receivers to make plays disclosed Kayshon Boutte noted who had five catches for yards and a season-high two touchdowns Sometimes we re not open and when coverage is clouded he makes plays himself We trust that he can run with the ball and get the first down and he did get a couple firsts in critical situations What requirements help Late-game discipline Leading - with just over minutes remaining in the fourth quarter the Patriots were whistled for three straight penalties An illegal shift on running back Rhamondre Stevenson wiped out an -yard reception by Mack Hollins Morgan Moses was then called for a false start Eventually an offensive pass interference call on Stefon Diggs negated his -yard grab on the sideline on third-and- Stock up Maye s efforts against the Saints put him in elite company He and Tom Brady are the only players in Patriots history with three-plus games of -plus passing yards two passing touchdowns and a -plus passer rating in a single season Brady did it in three games and four games Stock down Penalties continue to be an issue for New England The Patriots were called for infractions costing them yards For the season they have an NFL-high penalties Injuries Linebacker Harold Landry and cornerback Carlton Davis received medication on the field but both returned Cornerback Marcus Jones also received attention on the field in the second half Key number Maye joined Patrick Mahomes Dak Prescott and Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks age or younger to have -plus passing yards and a -plus passer rating in five consecutive games Next strategies The Patriots have an opportunity to improve to - on the road when they visit Tennessee - on Sunday It will be Vrabel s first battle against the gang coached from to On Monday the Titans fired Vrabel s replacement Brian Callahan