Just when you thought those brilliant New England Patriots teams had been pushed out of our memories for a while, they had to hire one of their own as head coach. Have you seen the job that Mike Vrabel has done? His team is on the verge of a division title. Hold on a second. Does that mean the AFC East leaders are now the Baltimore Ravens‘ measuring stick?

Curse the NFL and its constant quest for parity. We thought the New England would struggle for a while, but this is how the game is played. Draft well. Manage the cap. Add a few free agents, and you’re right back in the thick of things.

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During the spring and summer, we thought this might be one of those late games that Baltimore wins easily, but we’ve been taught another lesson again. You never know in the NFL.

Drake Maye, quarterback

Tom Brady is gone. He’s never coming back, and the Patriots may never find something comparable again, but Drake Maye is serviceable. Who would have thought? Bill Belichick was wrong in analyzing a guy.

Maye is fully capable of being successful in this league. In fact, he already is. This seems sustainable. He enters a quarterback duel with the great Lamar Jackson.

Entering Week 16, Maye has crafted an 11-3 record. He has completed a league-leading 70.9% of his passes. He has thrown 23 touchdowns vs. only seven interceptions.

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TreVeyon Henderson, running back

A quarterback’s best friends are a strong offensive line and a good running game, and while Maye has run for 362 yards and four scores on 85 carries, he doesn’t have to shoulder the load alone.

The Patriots have a nice one-two punch at tailback. In 11 games, Rhamondre Stevenson has notched 374 yards and three TDs on 107 carries. TreVeyon Henderson leads all rushers in carries (143), yards gained (773), and touchdowns (seven).

Henderson has also pitched in with 212 yards and a TD on 34 receptions. Keep an eye on both backs in the passing game.

Stefon Diggs & Kayshon Boutte, wide receiver

Stefon Diggs can be both quiet and polarizing. He has tallied 67 receptions on 83 targets, 731 yards receiving, and three receiving TDs. He leads all Patriots in all categories, minus TDs.

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No New England receiver has reached the end zone more through the air than Kayshon Boutte—credit six TDs to him. The next guy on our list provides some punch in the middle of the field at the intermediate level, but he can also stretch defenses.

Hunter Henry, tight end

Fourteen games in, 34 of Hunter Henry’s 46 receptions have gone for first-down yardage. He’s another X-factor as he has 628 yards receiving and five TDs on the regular-season campaign.

Vederian Lowe, tight end

Vederian Lowe protects Maye’s blind side. The Ravens‘ pass rush has been the subject of conversation all season, but they may have a few opportunities in this one. Maye has been sacked 43 times, and while he’s mobile, he can also provide a steady target.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Patriots: 6 X-factors to watch on offense for New England