Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots: 5 things to watch for in Week 5

The Buffalo Bills are one of two undefeated teams in the NFL after four weeks, and they will try to remain perfect when they host the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football in Week 5.

All week, topics and storylines have been discussed ahead of this AFC East clash. In the end, regardless of what is said by players, coaches, media outlets and fans, it always comes down to what unfolds on the field in the NFL.

And once it's game time, there will be a few particular things to look out for.

With that, here are five things to watch for during the Bills (4-0) versus Patriots (2-2) game in Week 5:

Josh Allen vs. Drake Maye

Is Drake Maye the real deal at quarterback for the Pats? Through four weeks, it appears so. He's leading the NFL in completion percentage (74%), and is neck and neck with Josh Allen in a lot of categories.

• Maye: 7-2 TD:INT ratio; 109.4 rating; 8 yards per attempt; 988 pass yards

• Allen: 7-1 TD:INT ratio; 109.7 rating; 8 yards per attempt; 964 pass yards.

Both are top eight in all categories. If Maye keeps up this level of play, it will be a fun rivalry for a long time.

Return of Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins

Stefon Diggs became one of the Bills' all-time-great WRs in his time in Buffalo. Despite only playing in 66 games with the Bills from 2020-2023, he's top-four all-time in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in Bills franchise history.

As for Mack Hollins, he made a different kind of impact. He was an important piece of the Bills offense in his lone year on the team in 2024 and instantly became a fan-favorite due to his personality and play style.

They both return to Orchard Park this week as members of the Patriots after signing with New England in free agency.

The return of key contributors for Bills?

Spencer Brown, Matt Milano, and Ed Oliver all missed Week 4's win over the New Orleans Saints and all were missed at times. Their health and availability will be something to monitor, and if they can get all of them to return, then they'll be much better on defense and the offensive line.

The Patriots should put up a better fight than the Saints, and New Orleans was within one score for a lot of the game. Some key reinforcements would be helpful for this divisional game.

Will there be a rotation at CB2?

In Week 4, Tre'Davious White started at CB2 across from Chrsitian Benford, but rookie Dorian Strong was mixed into that role as well. Head coach Sean McDermott said that was the plan going into the week and had nothing to do with what White did or didn't do.

White dominated the snaps between the two, playing 51 snaps to Strong's 15. How the snaps shake out at CB2 is an interesting subplot in the development of this year's Bills defense.

Will James Cook continue TD streak?

Last week, running back James Cook set a Bills all-time record by scoring a rushing touchdown in his eighth consecutive game. Will he continue his hot streak and push his own record to nine-straight games?

Remarkably, Cook has scored 22 touchdowns over his last 20 games.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots: 5 things to watch for in Week 5