Drake Maye went home to North Carolina to spend a few days of the Patriots’ bye week at home. But after that short break, Maye was to Arizona
He told reporters he was focused on the mission ahead.
For the rookie quarterback, that means continuing to learn and grow over the remaining four games. It means eliminating turnovers and trying to get some of the younger receivers going, namely Ja’Lynn Polk.
It also means trying to build positive momentum going into the next season.
- BETTING: Check out our MA Sports Betting Guidewhere you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read the odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
Over his previous eight starts, Maye had faced defenses that were among the best at generating pressure and getting to the quarterback. In comparison, the Cardinals didn’t pose the same kind of threat.
Before the bye, Maye put up one of the team’s best offensive efforts, with 24 points against the Indianpolis Colts.
How did Arizona do?
Maye was fine. The rest of the offense not so much in the 30-17 loss to the Cardinals. There has been no positive momentum from this game for the attack, or the defense for that matter.
Poisoning: Many of the issues that plagued the Patriots’ offense before the bye slowly came to light after the bye.
Poor offensive line play, questionable play calling, receivers unable to get open, unforced errors all showed in the loss.
Maye, once again, was the least of the team’s worries. He was credited with an interception, but it was a ball that flew right through the hands of Kayshon Boutte and into the defender.
The rookie quarterback still held his own, still tried to overcome mistakes and made more plays that continue to solidify the belief that he is special.
Down by 20 in the fourth quarter, Maye threw a perfect ball to Kendrick Bourne down the right sideline for a 37-yard gain.
Then he made a circus play, rolling to the left and at the last second threw a pass to DeMario “Pop” Douglas in the end zone.
Ross Tucker, making the comment on TV, said it “looked like a Larry Bird step”. The reference was correct.
Apart from Maye’s heroics, the defense couldn’t hold on.
Maye engineered one more and got a score with 1:55 to play, but it was too little, too late. He ended up completing 19 of 23 passes for 202 yards. He threw a touchdown, ran for one and had the only pick.
The running game was pretty good (Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson combined for over 100 yards), until it was time to gain a yard down the goal line. in third and fourth descent. Twice, the races were stopped.
Even with Maye going 10-for-10 for 71 yards, the first half couldn’t have gone much worse.
Bad snaps and holding penalties killed drives. Horrible play by the offensive line, receivers not getting open and the conservative running game didn’t allow Maye to do much.
One might have thought after the farewell, the play could have been cleaner. only, the offense he couldn’t get out of his way.
Maye stayed to try to navigate third-and-10, third-and-19, third-and-seven and third-and-16 situations in the first half alone.
There were too many screens, checks and shallow crosses called by Alex Van Pelt.
The best play was an 18-yard screen pass Marcus Jones, who flipped from defense to make a cameo appearance on the offensive side.
Maye managed to put the team in Arizona’s end a few times, but not in the red zone. All they could muster were two field goal attempts, with Joey Slye making one of two, com the patriots leading the Cardinals 13-3 at the half.
The second half produced more attack, but it was still far from enough.