Drake Maye's game vs. Texans modified into once first of its kind in 74-plus years – Yahoo

Drake Maye’s game vs. Texans modified into once first of its kind in 74-plus years at the starting set up appeared on NBC Sports activities Boston

Used to be Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans the handiest 20-level loss in New England Patriots historical past?

Hear us out: Yes, the Patriots had been outclassed by the Texans in a 41-21 defeat that dropped them to 1-5 on the season. Nonetheless the story of the sport in New England modified into once the play of rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who threw three touchdown passes in his first NFL delivery and showed staunch promise that he could maybe well well furthermore be the crew’s franchise QB.

Maye made a very good deal of mistakes, at the side of a trio of dear turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble). Nonetheless his raw skills also shone through: The No. 3 total pick done 20 of 33 passes for 243 yards — basically the most by a Patriots QB this season — whereas also leading the crew in speeding with 38 yards on 5 makes an strive.

When’s the last time a QB threw no lower than three touchdown passes and led his crew in speeding in his first NFL delivery? In conserving with Dante Koplowitz-Fleming of NFL Be taught, it is by no contrivance took negate in the Huge Bowl skills and hasn’t took negate in any NFL game since no lower than 1950.

Maye’s three touchdown passes by themselves had been historical: The North Carolina product is simplest the 2d QB in Patriots historical past to throw three TD passes in his first NFL delivery. (The different? Tom Yewcic in 1962.)

And even with Maye’s three turnovers, his stat line compares soft favorably to other vital Patriots QBs of their first NFL delivery:

• Drew Bledsoe (1993): 14 for 30, 148 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 69.9 passer rating

• Tom Brady (2001): 13 for 23, 168 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, seventy 9.6 passer rating

• Mac Jones (2021): 29 for 39, 281 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 102.6 passer rating

• Drake Maye (2024): 20 for 33, 243 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 88.3 passer rating

We shouldn’t draw too many conclusions from one delivery. Nonetheless brooding about how low the bar modified into once coming into Sunday — Jacoby Brissett threw two touchdown passes complete in New England’s old 5 games — Maye’s efficiency must peaceful give Patriots followers optimism, namely as it relates to his skill to prolong performs alongside with his athleticism.

Maye’s next test will more than most likely be in London when the Patriots face the 1-5 Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday at Wembley Stadium.