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09/28 17:29 CDT Drake Maye's struggles hovering over Patriots' slow start with
division opener next
Drake Maye's struggles hovering over Patriots' slow start with division opener
next
By KYLE HIGHTOWER
AP Sports Writer
Drake Maye wasn't one of the things the Patriots anticipated having to worry
about entering this season.
Suddenly, the third-year quarterback is at the top of the list.
After beginning the season with two games of uneven play, Maye's struggles
found a new floor in the Patriots' 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on
Sunday.
He went without a touchdown pass for the second straight game, while completing
a season-low 56% (14 of 25) of his throws, tossing two interceptions and losing
one of his two fumbles on the day.
"I've got to look myself in the mirror and take this as a turning point," Maye
said. "It's Week 3, and at the same time we've got to get some fuel and realize
that what we're doing out there offensively is unacceptable. It's been
unacceptable for three weeks. So, I've got to start with myself and then lead
these guys, and we've got to get back after it."
Maye's six interceptions are the most by a Patriots quarterback through three
games since Drew Bledsoe (eight) in his second NFL season in 1994. Maye had
only eight in all of the 2025 season.
What's worse, Maye seems unsure of himself when he drops back to pass. He has
tried to force the ball to well-covered wide receivers at times, while badly
overthrowing receivers in other instances. Turning the page on those miscues
also has been a problem, he acknowledged.
"I think it's beating myself and realizing that there's times last year where
you gotta flip to the next play and realize that this league will humble you
quick and just finding ways for me to step up when I feel like I'm not playing
my best and still lead the team," Maye said. "I think that's what this position
is about."
One of the things that got a lot of attention Sunday was a moment in the third
quarter between Maye and coach Mike Vrabel on the sideline. Vrabel stood in
front of his visibly downtrodden quarterback and placed both hands on his
shoulders while speaking to him for an extended period.
Vrabel believes part of helping get Maye out of this funk is reminding him that
Maye still has room to grow.
"I try to talk to him about, just taking the ball and putting it where it's
supposed to go. And he's 24 years old. Like we're not dealing with a
35-year-old quarterback here," Vrabel said. "He's a young quarterback. I want
him to go and be energetic and talk to him about, just, can't be a robot here.
We've got to go. And you saw sometimes where he extended plays and kept his
eyes downfield and made plays, and then also we just can't turn it over the
rate that we're turning it over, especially down in the red zone."
What's working Despite their inability to put the ball in the end zone, the Patriots' ability to move the ball beyond the 50-yard line on seven drives shows that the offense can sustain drives.
What needs help Moving the ball is one thing, but the results of those possessions showed just how dismal a day it was. In order, New England's drives that advanced to Jacksonville territory resulted in a punt, fumble, field goal, interception, missed field goal, field goal and turnover on downs. That feeds into what the overall story is on offense. The Patriots have scored only 29 points in 30 drives this season. That's the fewest points per drive (0.97) by any team through three games since the 2021 New York Jets.
Stock up Cornerback Marcus Jones provided one of the few bright spots on defense, picking off Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. It was Jones' seventh career interception.
Stock down Mack Hollins. With the Patriots trailing 28-3 in the fourth quarter and facing third-and-10 on the Jacksonville 16, Maye completed a 9-yard pass to Hollins for what would have been a first down at the 7. Instead, Hollins' celebration after the catch drew a 15-yard taunting penalty. It forced the Patriots to settle for Andy Borregales' 40-yard field goal.
Injuries Right guard Greg Van Roten left in the first half with a thigh injury and did not return. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore (shoulder) and cornerback Carlton Davis III also missed snaps but returned.
Key number 19 --- The number of fumbles (nine) and interceptions (10) Maye has had since the start of last season's playoffs --- a total of seven games. He's the first player with nine or more fumbles and 10 or more interceptions in a seven-game span since Jameis Winston did it in 2019 during his 30- touchdown, 30-interception season.
Next steps The Patriots stay on the road, travelling to Buffalo for their AFC East opener on Sunday. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
What's working Despite their inability to put the ball in the end zone, the Patriots' ability to move the ball beyond the 50-yard line on seven drives shows that the offense can sustain drives.
What needs help Moving the ball is one thing, but the results of those possessions showed just how dismal a day it was. In order, New England's drives that advanced to Jacksonville territory resulted in a punt, fumble, field goal, interception, missed field goal, field goal and turnover on downs. That feeds into what the overall story is on offense. The Patriots have scored only 29 points in 30 drives this season. That's the fewest points per drive (0.97) by any team through three games since the 2021 New York Jets.
Stock up Cornerback Marcus Jones provided one of the few bright spots on defense, picking off Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. It was Jones' seventh career interception.
Stock down Mack Hollins. With the Patriots trailing 28-3 in the fourth quarter and facing third-and-10 on the Jacksonville 16, Maye completed a 9-yard pass to Hollins for what would have been a first down at the 7. Instead, Hollins' celebration after the catch drew a 15-yard taunting penalty. It forced the Patriots to settle for Andy Borregales' 40-yard field goal.
Injuries Right guard Greg Van Roten left in the first half with a thigh injury and did not return. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore (shoulder) and cornerback Carlton Davis III also missed snaps but returned.
Key number 19 --- The number of fumbles (nine) and interceptions (10) Maye has had since the start of last season's playoffs --- a total of seven games. He's the first player with nine or more fumbles and 10 or more interceptions in a seven-game span since Jameis Winston did it in 2019 during his 30- touchdown, 30-interception season.
Next steps The Patriots stay on the road, travelling to Buffalo for their AFC East opener on Sunday. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
