Drake Maye Breathes Sigh of Relief After 3-TD Performance

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was relieved by his performance against the Buffalo Bills.

The Patriots were 1–2 going into Sunday’s game and looked out of sorts in all three games; Maye had thrown six interceptions to just one touchdown in that span. But he turned it on in Orchard Park Sunday, throwing three touchdowns, including the game-winner. Maye said after the game Sunday that the win gives the team plenty to build on going forward.

“I think we’ve definitely got to build off it,” he said. “I think this is relieving a little bit, but we’ve still got some work left out there. I think we left our defense in some bad positions. We got the ball back twice in that third quarter where we got a chance to really put it on them.”

New England scored first and held the lead until the end of the first half, when Buffalo kicked a field goal in the waning seconds before the break.

The Patriots opened the second half with a long touchdown drive to go up 21–17, but the Bills scored on back-to-back possessions to make it 26–21 with four and a half minutes to play.

Maye and the Pats offense marched down the field, throwing a 28-yard strike to wide receiver Efton Chism III, and then completed a two-point conversion to running back Rhamondre Stevenson to take a 29–26 lead.

Bills QB Josh Allen threw an interception on their final possession, sealing the win.

“I’m just proud of the way the guys fought,” said Maye. “Nobody blinked when we were there on the sideline, and they scored and went up 26-21, and we just did what we do.”

“[I’m] just thankful for those guys and stepping up, man, everybody’s stepping up, and we’ve got different guys in there and practicing some of these plays with guys in there. It’s just, it’s cool [how] this game brings people together, and that’s what makes it so special.”

The win was a turning point for Maye in particular, after struggling mightily in the first three games.

In the season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Maye completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, while throwing three interceptions and being sacked three times in the 13–10 loss.

Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2, he went 14 of 22 for 208 yards and an interception, with three sacks in the 20–3 win.

In Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he went 14-of-25 for 199 yards, with two picks and three sacks in the 35–6 loss.

But in Sunday’s game, Maye went 22 of 37 for 269 yards and three touchdowns with an interception and one sack.

“Yeah, that’s just the position [of] playing in the NFL,” he said. “You turn the ball over, and you feel like you left plays out there. That’s what happens. And I’ve got full trust in myself, and I think [the] amount of times that teammates came and pumped me up this week was cool to see and [is] what makes this game so special.”

“We’ve got a lot of guys in that locker room that love each other and enjoy going out there and playing for [head coach Mike Vrabel].”

The turnaround might feel good now, but it is far from a certainty as the Patriots move forward. They take on the upstart Las Vegas Raiders next week, the division rival New York Jets the week after, and the Chicago Bears the week after that.

They also face a daunting slate in December with the Bills and Minnesota Vikings at home, then visits to the Kansas City Chiefs and Jets, then the Denver Broncos at home on Jan. 3.

“You’re 1–2 coming into this game and just earned a second win, 2–2,” Maye said.

“You can’t hang your hat. This is the league, and I know I’ve got to play better, and still left some stuff out there today.

“We’ve got to build on it and know that this isn’t a point in the season where we can end the season on this. You’ve got to get back and keep going.”