OK, now it’s time for the Patriots to panic about Drake Maye
After the Patriots pulled out a win in Week 2 over the Steelers, regardless of one other uninspiring efficiency from Drake Maye, Mike Vrabel averted answering questions on his quarterback. Vrabel joked with a reporter to not “damage my Sunday” when requested about Maye. And this was after a win.
On Sunday, Maye was largely chargeable for ruining Vrabel’s afternoon within the Patriots’ 35-6 loss to Jacksonville, which felt like all-time low (the Pats hope). Simply put, Maye was atrocious. The 2025 MVP runner-up was 14-of-25 for 199 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions, three sacks, and a misplaced fumble.
It wasn’t simply that Maye was as soon as once more a turnover machine – it was the weirdness of his determination making. A very grievous error got here on a 3rd and purpose with below a minute remaining within the first half. New England have been solely down 14-3 and well-positioned to shift the sport’s momentum. Then Maye threw the ball right to Jacksonville corner Travis Hunter ultimately zone.
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It’s onerous to grasp what Maye was seeing or not seeing on that play. Given the ball placement and defensive reads, some social-media jokesters questioned whether or not he might even make out Jacksonville’s teal uniforms.
Had this sport been an outlier, Patriots followers might take a deep breath. But Week 3’s efficiency was merely a brand new low for Maye, who has been shaky because the 2025 playoffs started. The 2025 common season Maye who delighted followers with simply eight interceptions in 17 video games already has six interceptions in three weeks this marketing campaign. During New England’s four-game playoff run final season, Maye had six touchdowns, however he additionally threw 4 interceptions and fumbled seven instances. He additionally took 21 sacks.
New England’s stifling protection, which was important throughout their Super Bowl run – and in final week’s win over the Steelers – was absent on Sunday. The often stout unit allowed Trevor Lawrence three passing touchdowns and didn’t capitalize on Jacksonville’s penalties.
But there shouldn’t be vital long-term concern on that facet of the ball. The protection can troubleshoot with scheme modifications, akin to going again to the person protection they veered away from Sunday. They’ll additionally profit from getting key gamers again from harm, akin to stud edge-rusher Dre’Mont Jones and beginning security Craig Woodson.
At this level, it’s onerous to see any positives for Maye. He has all of the yips and not one of the confidence. He seems tentative and misplaced, so in contrast to the gutsy parser of defenses who led the league final season in completion proportion.
It now not appears unfair to attribute a few of New England’s success final season to their schedule. In 2025, New England had what turned out to be the best schedule; this yr, they’ve one of many six hardest. Maye’s finest performances final yr got here towards the doubtful abilities of the Jets, Saints, Titans, Panthers, and Dolphins.
Losing Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte, in addition to AJ Brown’s harm, has been a gut-punch to Maye and the Pats’ offense. New England determined to maneuver on from Diggs and Boutte regardless of Maye’s profitable reference to them. Brown was presupposed to make up for his or her loss, however together with his harm Maye has needed to make do with Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins, not precisely upgrades.
It’s method too early to say that Maye’s 2025 season was a flash within the pan. Even elite quarterbacks have a couple of dangerous weeks on occasion. Just have a look at Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and even Tom Brady. But these three have a observe report of dominating over a few years and placing in legendary performances towards the hardest opponents in grueling conditions.
Maye is simply 24. Perhaps offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will change his schemes with rebuilding Maye’s confidence in thoughts.
Something should change. The Patriots are 1-2 with the Buffalo Bills up subsequent. This season shouldn’t be misplaced however what we’ve seen to this point is unacceptable.
MVP of the week
Marcus Mariota, QB, Washington Commanders. As we had all predicted, it will be the Mariota-led 0-2 Commanders who would deal the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks their first loss since final November. Mariota sealed the 33-31 win with a scramble and slide, however it was his three landing passes that catapulted Washington to the upset. His last stat line could not have been that spectacular – he was 19 of 31 for 183 yards – however Mariota helped take down a staff who’ve shut down loads of quarterbacks within the final 12 months.
Stat of the week
100. That’s the variety of regular-season wins for Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy collectively. When McCarthy and Rodgers spent their first season collectively in 2006 with the Green Bay Packers, the probabilities of them each being within the league and reuniting as coach and quarterback on a unique staff 20 years later have been slim.
Rodgers and McCarthy turned again the clock in Pittsburgh’s 30-27 shootout win over the Bengals on Sunday. The 42-year-old quarterback regarded, dare we are saying, spry throwing three touchdowns to 3 completely different receivers.
The Steelers sealed the win by recovering a Joe Burrow fumble because the Bengals have been driving late within the fourth quarter. It was Cincinnati’s first lack of the season and the rebirth of a Steelers aerial assault that regarded lifeless within the first two weeks. The win additionally marked the a hundredth regular-season win for Rodgers and McCarthy as a quarterback-coach duo. It’s an much more spectacular feat when you think about the a number of instances in Green Bay when their partnership had supposedly run its course.
Video of the week
Sunday Night Football led to an exciting 30-26 win for the Broncos over the Rams. Talanoa Hufanga intercepted Matthew Stafford twice: one a pick-six, and the second a game-winner on the ultimate play of the sport because the Rams tried to clinch issues with a last-gasp landing. It was fairly a turnaround for the Broncos who had managed simply 67 yards of offense within the first half and trailed 16-0 on the break.
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Elsewhere across the league
Not solely did Brock Purdy throw 4 touchdowns to steer the 49ers to a 36-30 win over the Cardinals, however he did it with San Francisco’s time of possession barely eclipsing 20 minutes. Turns out that was all Purdy wanted. His precision and protection reads have been next-level, as they’ve been all season. Purdy’s brilliance was on full show in a second-quarter touchdown strike to Mike Evans. On the yr, Purdy has thrown 9 touchdowns and only one interception. Purdy’s artistry, together with a throw in which he imitated Michael Jordan, has him climbing up MVP boards and, extra importantly, main his staff to a 3-0 report.
San Francisco wanted each ounce of Purdy’s magic, together with a gap drive hook and ladder touchdown. Down 23-6 within the second half, Arizona virtually mounted an epic comeback. It’s not all sunshine for San Francisco although, regardless of them sitting alone atop the NFC West. Mike Evans, Dre Greenlaw and Trent Williams exited the game – it wouldn’t be the Niners with out an harm disaster.
Rio was destined for time beyond regulation – there was to be extra of an exciting Ravens-Cowboys matchup. But a lot can happen in seven seconds. After Brandon Aubrey kicked a 23-yarder to tie the sport 31-31 with, sure, 00:07 remaining, Lamar Jackson threw a 27-yard strike to a totally uncovered Zay Flowers and proceeded to name a timeout with possibly 1 / 4 of a second left. Baltimore have been simply in kicker Tyler Loop’s vary and he proceeded to punch by way of a 56-yard game-winner as time expired. Loop then celebrated the profitable kick in the most Rio way possible.
It was an exciting win for Baltimore, who transfer to 2-1 regardless of a tricky sport that included Derrick Henry getting stuffed on fourth and purpose. Conversely, the Cowboys have numerous explaining about their end-of-game conservatism. After being gifted a defensive move interference late within the fourth quarter that regarded prefer it was an offensive move interference, and beginning with first and purpose from the 2, they failed to attain a landing. The goalline play calling was uncreative and, once more, Baltimore caught the Cowboys’ protection asleep to arrange the game-winner. The Cowboys fall to 1-2.
It wasn’t the prettiest win for Buffalo, however they’ll take a 24-16 victory over the winless Los Angeles Chargers. For a lot of the primary three quarters, the Chargers regarded like a refreshed staff poised for an upset. Buffalo have been a catastrophe for giant elements of the sport, turning the ball over 5 instances and amassing a litany of penalties. The Chargers held the lead till the center of the fourth quarter however squandered too many alternatives.
How in regards to the nonetheless undefeated Raiders? The Raiders pressured 4 fourth-quarter turnovers to safe a wild 35-27 win over the Saints. Sunday marked the season debut of tight finish Brock Bowers who didn’t miss a beat, gathering 10 of 13 passes for 116 yards and a landing. Las Vegas host Kansas City, who’re additionally 3-0, in Week 4 for the outright lead of the AFC West.
