The New England Patriots continued their losing streak as they fell to the Houston Texans on Sunday, marking their fifth consecutive defeat. However, despite the disappointing outcome, there were several positives to be gleaned from rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s debut.
Maye, a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, put up impressive numbers in his first start. He completed 20 of 33 passes for 243 yards, tossing three touchdowns along with two interceptions in the 41-21 loss. While he got off to a shaky start with an early interception, Maye managed to showcase his potential by delivering a season-high in points and passing yards for the Patriots.
Head coach Jerod Mayo had positive words for the young quarterback, describing Maye’s performance as “encouraging.” However, Mayo also acknowledged that the team as a whole fell short in supporting Maye in his debut as a starter.
After the interception, Maye struggled to find his rhythm as the Patriots punted on their next three possessions. But as the first half drew to a close, Maye showed signs of settling in during a two-minute drill. With just 16 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Maye connected with Kayshon Boutte on a 40-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 14-7 heading into halftime.
The highlight of Maye’s performance came on the touchdown pass to Boutte, which traveled an impressive 51.7 yards in the air. According to Next Gen Stats, this was the longest completion by a Patriots quarterback in the last three seasons.
While the Patriots may have come up short once again, there is optimism surrounding Drake Maye and his potential moving forward. As he continues to gain experience and build chemistry with his teammates, the rookie quarterback could be a bright spot in what has been a challenging season for New England.
