By R.L. Bynum
In his first start Sunday for the New England Patriots, rookie quarterback Drake Maye impressively showed the NFL world that he will be a star.
He was accurate on deep passes, scrambled for nice gains on runs, and even demonstrated his tackling skills in the Patriots’ 31–21 home loss to Houston.
Maye loved the reaction from Patriots fans.
“They gave me goosebumps running out there for the first time in this stadium and basically the whole way through. It’s pretty sweet to be out there in the reds,” Maye said of the Pats’ throwback uniforms. “Didn’t come out with the win, and that’s accountable, especially in your first start. I’ve got to be able to watch the tape and learn from it and bounce back.”
Maye’s portion of the postgame press conference starts at 8:28 in the video at this link.
The third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft didn’t do enough to help a bad team avoid its fifth consecutive loss, but he threw three touchdown passes after former N.C. State quarterback Jacoby Brissett only threw two in the first five games.
“Drake gives us the best chance to win now and going forward,” New England coach Jerod Mayo said.
Playing behind the Pats’ bad offensive line will never be easy, and he took his share of big hits. The Texans sacked Maye four times, but the rookie completed 20 of 33 passes for 243 yards after New England averaged only 119.4 passing yards in the first five games. He threw two interceptions, but the second one came after a fourth-quarter screen pass was deflected.
Maye is the first rookie quarterback this season to throw more than one touchdown pass in his first start. The only other player with one scoring pass in his first start was New Orleans’ Spencer Rattler in the Saints’ 51–27 loss Sunday.
New England went from averaging 12.4 points in the first five games to putting up a season-high point total Sunday.
The Texans’ Will Anderson (career-high three sacks) led their elite pass rush that kept the heat on Maye all game. Houston safety Calen Bullock intercepted Maye’s third pass attempt of the game, but Maye hustled to tackle Bullock.
“Missed a little high and can’t miss high over the middle in this league; that’s what they always say,” Maye said.
Maye was slow to find his rhythm, starting the game with a three-and-out and fumbling on a strip-sack.
“I was a little amped at the start, for sure,” Maye said. “I think the biggest thing is having those guys around me. They were great pumping me up, coaches, defense, the guys around me were great trying to settle me down. And Jacoby was a big part of that, settling me down the sideline.”
He didn’t generate a first down in the opening quarter. But he appeared to get more comfortable toward the end of the first half and threw a beautiful pass to the end zone for his first career touchdown pass on a two-minute drill.
With 48 seconds left in the first half, Maye recognized a Texans mistake in coverage and laid the ball perfectly into the hands of wide receiver Kayshon Boutte down the sideline for a 40-yard scoring pass.
“I think two minute time is a great time for a quarterback to kind of get some passes and get some plays that we’re comfortable with under my belt,” Maye said. “And it was a lot easier in the two minute. Was able to make some plays. And Boutte made a great play. Great play on his part, and just get the guys the ball. And that’s the biggest thing I’ve got to do.”
That cut Houston’s lead to 14–7 at halftime, but that was as close as New England would get. By the time Maye connected with tight end Hunter Henry on a six-yard touchdown pass off of play-action with a minute left in the third quarter, the Pats trailed 27–14.
With 9:24 left in the game, Maye found wide receiver Demario Douglas on a 35-yard touchdown pass.
“He’s got swag,” Douglas said. “I’d run through a wall for him.”
All 10 of New England’s longest plays of the day involved Maye, including scrambles for an 11-yard run in the second quarter and 15 yards in the fourth quarter.
“I think we hurt ourselves today,” Maye said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. I think we put defense in bad spots, and you know how good our defense is.”
You may have had trouble watching Maye this weekend, but it will be easy next Sunday. New England plays Jacksonville at 9:30 a.m. in London in a game that will air on NFL Network.
Safety M.J. Stewart had two tackles for Houston, one on kickoff coverage, playing 11 defensive snaps and 25 special-teams snaps off the bench. Rookie running back British Brooks went on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in Week 6.
It was another productive week for wide receiver Josh Downs, who came off the bench to catch seven passes on nine targets for 66 yards and a touchdown in the Indianapolis Colts’ 20–17 road victory over Tennessee.
Downs caught a 22-yard pass from quarterback Joe Flacco in the game’s first four minutes to give the Colts the early lead.
His big game came despite being limited in practice last week after suffering a toe injury late in the Colts’ previous game.
Wide receiver Dyami Brown caught the only pass targeted to him for 11 yards in Washington’s 30–23 loss at Baltimore, playing 26 total snaps. Ravens rookie wide receiver Tez Walker again wasn’t active for the game and still hasn’t made his NFL debut.
Buffalo wide receiver Mack Hollins only had one catch in Monday night’s 23–20 Bills road victory over the New York Jets, but made it count. Hollins caught an eight-yard second-quarter touchdown pass for his second score of the season.
The Jets’ Chazz Surratt had an assist on kickoff coverage in 13 special-teams snaps and Buffalo backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky didn’t play.
Running back Javonte Williams had 23 yards on six carries and three catches for 13 yards in Denver’s 23–16 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He fumbled on one play and the Chargers recovered.
Mike Hughes had six tackles and one assist for Atlanta in the Falcons’ 38–20 win at Carolina.
Arizona offensive lineman Charlie Heck played three special-teams snaps in the Cardinals’ 34–13 loss at Green Bay.
Ater playing only one offensive snap this season, Dallas offensive lineman Asim Richards played 18 offensive snaps in the Cowboys’ 47–9 home loss to Detroit, in addition to three special-teams snaps. Left guard Tyler Guyton was out for the game, and Tyler Smith started. Richards came in when Smith got subbed out.
Linebacker Amari Gainer played 24 special-teams snaps for host Las Vegas in the Raiders’ 32–13 loss to Pittsburgh.
In the New York Giants’ 17–7 home loss to Cincinnati, offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu played one offensive snap and 3 special-teams snaps.
On Monday night, quarterback Mitch Trubisky, wide receiver Mack Hollins and the Buffalo Bills visit linebacker Chazz Surratt and the New York Jets (8:15 p.m. ESPN).
Off this weekend were running back Ty Chandler’s Minnesota Vikings and cornerback Storm Duck’s Miami Dolphins.
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–0, 195 | 4th NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 6 games, 8 catches, 105 yards (41 longest), 1 TD
30–23 loss at Baltimore — 1 catch on 1 target, 11 yards; 19 offensive snaps (32%), 7 special-teams snaps (24%)
Week 7 — 4:05 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, CBS
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 204 | 3rd NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — First-string kick returner behind Kene Nwangwu; second-string running back behind Aaron Jones
Season statistics — 4 games, 42 rushes, 147 yards (25 longest); 6 catches on 5 targets, 42 yards (10 longest); no kick returns; sacked once for a 1-yard loss
Minnesota didn’t play this weekend
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Detroit, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | 2nd NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver ahead of Anthony Gould
Season statistics — 4 games, 27 catches on 35 targets, 239 yards (25 longest), 8.8 average, 2 TDs; 1 carry, -1 yard
20–17 win at Tennessee — Didn’t start; 7 catches on 9 targets, 66 yards (22 longest), 1 TD; 1 carry, -1 yard; 55 offensive snaps (79%), 5 special-teams snaps (19%) 19.5 fantasy points
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Miami, CBS
Storm Duck, Miami Dolphins cornerback
Age 23 | 6–0, 195 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Third-string right cornerback
Season statistics — 4 games, 6 tackles, 3 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 1 pass defended, 2 tackles on kickoff coverage
Miami didn’t play this weekend
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 310 | 3rd NFL season | UNC 2016–21
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle behind Thomas Andrew
Season statistics — 6 games, 3 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps
17–7 loss vs. Cincinnati — Played 1 offensive snap (1%), 3 special-teams snaps (14%)
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Amari Gainer, Las Vegas Raiders linebacker
Age 24 | 6–3, 235 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Fourth-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 6 games, 1 special-teams tackle
32–13 loss vs. Pittsburgh — Played 24 special-teams snaps (96%)
Week 7 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Rams, CBS
Charlie Heck, Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman
Age 27 | 6–8, 311 | 5th NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle behind Paris Johnson Jr.
Season statistics — 3 games, had 13 offensive snaps, 7 special-teams snaps
34–13 loss at Green Bay — Played 3 special-teams snaps
Week 7 — 8:45 Monday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, ESPN+
Mack Hollins, Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Age 31 | 6–4, 221 | 8th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting left wide receiver ahead of Keon Coleman
Season statistics — 6 games, 7 catches, 80 yards (21 longest), 2 touchdowns, 1 tackle on punt coverage
23–20 win at New York Jets — Started; 1 catch on 2 targets, 8 yards, TD; 46 offensive snaps (67%), 8 special-teams snaps (32%)
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, CBS
Sam Howell, Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | 3rd NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Geno Smith
2023 statistics (Washington) — 17 games, 17 starts; 388 of 612, 63.4%, 3,946 yards (51 longest), 21 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 78.9 passer rating; 1 two-point conversion completion; 48 carries, 263 yards (24 longest), 5.5 average, 5 TDs
36–24 Thursday loss vs. San Francisco — Didn’t play; still hasn’t made season debut
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Atlanta, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 27 | 5–10, 191 | 7th NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting left cornerback ahead of Clark Phillips III
Season statistics — 6 games, 24 tackles, 6 assists, 3 tackles for losses, 2 passes defended
38–20 win at Carolina — Started; 6 tackles, 1 assist; 44 defensive snaps (67%)
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Seattle, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Jacoby Brissett
Season statistics — 2 games, 24 of 41, 265 yards, 6.4 average (40 longest) 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 6 sacks for 47 yards, 81.9 passer rating; 7 carries, 50 yards; 1 tackle
41–21 loss vs. Houston — 20 of 33, 243 yards (40 longest), 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 4 sacks for 34 yards, 88.3 passer rating; 4 carries, 38 yards (15 longest); 1 tackle after an interception; 66 offensive snaps (100%); 22.52 fantasy points
Week 7 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville in London, NFL Network
Asim Richards, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman
24 | 6–4, 307 | 2nd NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 4 games; 19 offensive snaps, 18 special-teams snaps
47–9 loss vs. Detroit — Played 18 offensive snaps (26%), 3 special-teams snaps (11%)
Week 7 — Off; In Week 8: 8:20 Sunday, Oct. 27 at San Francisco, NBC
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 28 | 5–11, 205 | 7th NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string strong safety
Season statistics — 4 games, 1 tackle, 1 special-teams tackle, 1 special-teams assist
41–21 win at New England — 1 tackle, 1 tackle in kickoff coverage; 11 defensive snaps (17%), 25 special-teams snaps (76%)
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Green Bay, CBS
Chazz Surratt, New York Jets linebacker
Age 27 | 6–2, 233 | 4th NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string middle linebacker
Season statistics — 6 games, 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 QB hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists
23–20 loss vs. Buffalo — 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 13 special-teams snaps (52%)
Week 7 — 8:20 Sunday at Pittsburgh, NBC
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–2, 220 | 8th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
Season statistics — 4 games, 2 of 3, 5 yards; 3 carries, -3 yards
23–20 win at New York Jets — Didn’t play
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 23 | 6–1, 198 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver behind Rashod Bateman
2023 statistics (UNC) — 8 games, 41 catches, 699 yards, 7 TDs; 3 carries, 23 yards
30–23 win vs. Washington — Not active for the game; still hasn’t made NFL debut
Week 7 — 8:15 Monday at Tampa Bay, ESPN
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos running back
Age 24 | 5–10, 220 | 4th NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Samaje Perine
Season statistics — 6 games, 59 carries, 213 yards (17 longest), 3.6 average; 20 catches on 26 targets, 143 yards (26 longest), 7.2 average; 2 fumbles
23–16 loss vs. Los Angeles Chargers — Started; 6 carries, 23 yards (13 longest); 3 catches on 6 targets, 13 yards (10 longest); 1 fumble (lost); 37 offensive snaps (67%)
Week 7 — 8:15 Thursday at New Orleans, Prime Video
On PUP list
Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb (recovering from left knee injury)
On injured reserve
Houston running back British Brooks (knee)
Tennessee linebacker Cedric Gray (shoulder)
Detroit wide receiver Antoine Green (concussion)
Las Vegas defensive tackle Tomari Fox
On practice squads
Arizona running back Michael Carter
N.Y. Giants linebacker Tomon Fox (has played 1 game with 1 special-team tackle)
Waived during training camp
Offensive lineman Marcus McKethan by the New York Giants
Cornerback Kyler McMichael by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Defensive end Myles Murphy by the Arizona Cardinals
Offensive lineman Spencer Rolland by the Minnesota Vikings
Linebacker Andre Smith by the Denver Broncos
Photo via @Patriots
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