Drake Maye gets their first taste of sweet success – results still sour for Patriots

SPORTS

CHAPEL HILL–Drake Maye is starting to get his feet under him.

During Sunday’s New England Patriots game against the Tennessee Titans, Maye notched his fourth NFL start and made an impressive play, showcasing the potential NFL scouts saw in him during his time in Chapel Hill.

On the last play of regulation the Patriots had to score to tie. The score was 17-10 Titans.

The Patriots were on the five-yard line in the red zone with only four seconds on the clock.

Maye is in shotgun formation in an empty set. He takes the snap.

Two seconds later, his receivers have gotten to their spots and no one is open.

With no time on the clock and the pocket has broken down, Maye’s receivers are running around just trying to find any open space in the defense.

The tough part about being in the red zone is you have less space to work with. You’re closer to scoring, but the defense is much more compact, with fewer fields to cover. The Patriots were quickly becoming aware of that fact.

Maye keeps his eyes downfield but is darting around at the 15-yard line.

He steps up in the pocket, proceeds to side-step a Titans defensive lineman before three more Titans defenders get to him.

As two Titans start to bring him to the ground, he sees something to the right and lofts up one of those passes where you almost expect it to be intercepted.

Instead, you see the ball float to the right side of the end zone to space. It’s a space that running back Rhamondre Stevenson can run back to with a defender draped over his back like Superman’s cape.

And that pass falls gently into Stevenson’s hands.

That pass represented a game-tying drive, a chance to win, and perhaps most importantly, a young quarterback who is able to make the most of a situation.

That’s what you need to win in this league.

The Patriots would kick the PAT, sending the game to overtime. They, especially Drake, gave them a chance to win.

The Titans received the ball in overtime and marched down the field but could not finish the drive. Veteran kicker Nick Folk kicked a 25-yard field goal, giving the Titans a 20-17 lead. At the same time, they gave Maye and his Pats a chance to complete a comeback win.

Unfortunately, the hero who got them there would also doom them.

Dropping back on the 3rd play of the drive from his own 41, Maye throws a deep pass to Kayshon Boutte, which Titans defensive back Amani Hooker picks off. He takes a knee to close out the game for the Titans.

Hooker had a career day taking away the ball in the air twice against Maye.

In regards to the last play, the former Tar Heels signal caller took responsibility and said, “Just a bad decision on my part.”

Maye finished the game 29 for 41 on pass attempts for 206 yards and his heroic touchdown pass. It was not the most impressive day by any means, but the rookie quarterback is showing potential on a team that is not built to support him.

So while Maye has growth to do, he certainly seems to have the potential to be the man in New England.

It’ll be exciting to see the former Tar Heel flourish and develop at the pro level.

Thomas Hicks is a journalist with video, PR, and writing experience who studied at UNC and the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. Thomas is always looking for work and the next story! He loves working with his camera or with his pen. This reporter can be contacted at thomasjhicks55@gmail.com, LinkedIn: Thomas Hicks and X: ThomasJ_H