The Patriots’ X-Factor player for their Week 6 game against the Texans

The New England Patriots (1-4) host the Houston Texans (4-1) in their return game on Sunday. Maybe the red uniforms will add a little more pizzazz to a Patriots team that has looked lost for the past four seasons.

This week it’s important to understand where these two teams stand through the first five games of the season. The Texans are a playoff contender with Super Bowl hopes, while the Patriots are just hoping to build momentum for the future with their young team.

Like every week, we take a look at the one player who could turn the game in the Patriots’ favor with a great performance.

This week’s X-Factor is the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who is expected to make his NFL debut.

It’s no secret that the team needs a spark, and Maye could provide just that. Granted, he’ll be making his debut against a very good Texas team that recently wrote the blueprint for properly rebuilding a team. They even have some similarities to the current Patriots.

If Maye puts in an electrifying performance at the most important position on the field, it’s obvious that it could impact the outcome for the Patriots. But more importantly, it’s a sign of hope for the players and fans who have invested so much in the organization.

A lot of people are wondering what the plan was that coach Jerod Mayo kept mentioning, and it may never come out what that really was, and it doesn’t matter.

The plan for the future is simple: build and develop around Maye. The team only goes as far in this league as its quarterback can take them. That includes building the offense around him and allowing him to be a cornerstone of the franchise and an important part of the building.

For those questioning the timing, there is never a good time to start a young quarterback. If you’re a bad team, you’re bad for a reason. The Patriots won’t wait for Joe Thomas to walk through the door before Maye takes a snap.

If he isn’t capable now, he may never be capable.

This is a great test against a young quarterback, a solid defense and overall the organizational philosophy that many are trying to replicate in their rebuilds across the NFL.

If anything, this is a litmus test and we will learn a lot from this duel. It’s time to play Maye and the new era begins on Sunday.