Falcons defensive coordinator has high praise for Patriots quarterback.

Ulbrich on Drake Maye: He’s way better than I want him to be. He feels like a younger Josh Allen. … He’s a problem. #Falcons

— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) October 29, 2025

The Atlanta Falcons’ regular-season schedule initially appeared to be one of the easiest in the NFL, but it has proven to be much tougher than most anticipated. The team has another tough test coming up against the 6-2 New England Patriots in Week 9.

The Patriots currently lead the AFC East after eight games with a 6-2 record, even defeating the high-powered Buffalo Bills in Week 5. Quarterback Drake Maye’s breakout season is a big reason why New England has been successful. The former No. 3 overall selection has passed for 2,026 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Maye has been so good that some have compared him to reigning league MVP Josh Allen. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was the latest coach to make this comparison, praising Maye for his ability to extend plays after Wednesday’s practice.

“He’s way better than I want him to be,” Ulbrich said about Maye. “He feels like a younger Josh Allen.”

The Patriots quarterback has taken a big leap in his second season. While Maye showed a ton of potential at North Carolina, he was considered slightly inexperienced in comparison to his peers in the 2024 draft class. Thus far, Maye has performed well enough to dispel those concerns.

The Falcons also used a top-10 pick on a quarterback last year, selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall selection. However, Penix has only started nine NFL games after spending most of his rookie year backing up Kirk Cousins.

The former Washington standout has passed for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in six starts this season. Penix was held out of Week 8 due to a bone bruise in his knee, but the team is optimistic he will return in time for Sunday’s game against the Patriots.

The second-year Falcons quarterback has something else in common with Maye, though. Penix also defeated Josh Allen and the Bills this season, passing for 250 yards and a touchdown in Atlanta’s 24-14 victory back in Week 6.

We’ll see which young quarterback gets the last laugh on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.