By R.L. Bynum
In another rough Sunday for the New England Patriots, rookie quarterback Drake Maye continued to be their bright spot, setting the franchise record for touchdown passes in his first two starts.
Maye threw two touchdown passes, with no interceptions, in New England’s 32–16 loss in London over Jacksonville to give him five scoring passes in two starts. The previous record was four, shared by Jimmy Garoppolo (2016), Tom Ramsey (1987) and Tom Yewcic (1962).
“We’ve been preaching fast start,” Drake Maye said during his portion of the postgame press conference, which starts at 11:55, after he led the Pats to an early 10–0 lead. “We did that today. We just didn’t sustain long enough. Had some chances down in the red zone, that second drive, that wish I had back.”
The Patriots (1–6) have numerous issues outside of Maye and have lost five consecutive games. With the weak roster around him, Maye never has much time to throw and has little margin for error.
“What we’re doing is not good enough, and you’ve got to man up,” Maye said. “I think the little things like false starts, that falls on me. We’ve got to be more clear and up front, with the cadence, with the O line.”
Against a Jaguars defense that came into the weekend with the third-lowest pressure rate in the NFL, Maye still felt plenty of heat but was only sacked twice for 18 yards (after absorbing six sacks a week earlier).
Maye said the game was slowing down for him and he’s getting more comfortable.
“You’re seeing different things, seeing different fronts, seeing different coverages, and getting a better feel,” Maye said. “I think the Jags did some different stuff, of playing guys different spots, the same coverage. Other than that, I’m here to help the football team win, and we’re not getting that done. So, got to do something different.”
Maye had more completions (26) Sunday than in his first two NFL games (24) and in two fewer attempts. He passed 37 times for 276 yards, including a 33-yard gainer. He had a 109.7 passer rating and produced 20.84 fantasy points.
Before Sunday, the Patriots hadn’t earned a first down, much less a touchdown, on their opening drive. Maye completed 6 of 7 passes for 62 yards on New England’s first drive, the last a 16-yard touchdown pass to JaMycal Hasty against a blitz.
“We were hot to the back,” Maye said. “They ended up bringing the backer and safety, then dropped out the defensive end on the opposite side. So just find a completion. It was third-and-10, and we were already in field-goal range, and Hasty made a play. I think we have to do more of that. Getting our guys the ball and let them make plays.”
After Maye drove New England to a field goal on the second drive and a 10–0 Patriots lead, generating offense got tough until the fourth quarter.
Maye made a couple of nice passes on that scoring drive, including a deep pass to the left sideline for 33 yards to Kayshon Bouttee (above) and a 22-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Osborn (below) with 8:22 left in the game. But that only cut the Patriots’ deficit to 25–16.
Javonte Williams got Week 7 off to a good start for Tar Heels with 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns and 23 reception yards in Denver’s 33–10 win at New Orleans on Thursday night. Read more about his game here.
The New York Giants game didn’t go well, but two Tar Heels got good news in a 28–3 home loss to Philadelphia. Joshua Ezeudu started at left tackle after Andrew Thomas’s season-ending injury, and the team elevated Tomon Fox from the practice squad. Ezeudu played all 58 offensive snaps after playing only three offensive snaps in the first six games. Fox had three tackles, two quarterback hits, one sack and a tackle for a loss in 23 total snaps.
After battling a toe injury, Josh Downs had one catch on three targets for three yards and returned a punt for 13 yards in Indianapolis’ 16–10 home win over Miami. For the Dolphins, Storm Duck had one tackle on kickoff coverage in 10 special-teams snaps before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.
Ty Chandler had two carries for four yards over 11 offensive snaps and six special-teams snaps in Minnesota’s 31–28 loss to Detroit.
Mack Hollins, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, had no catches on one target in Buffalo’s 34–10 home win over Tennessee. He played 41 offensive snaps, one defensive snap and 16 special-teams snaps. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky didn’t play.
Sam Howell made his season debut for Seattle in the Seahawks’ 34–14 win at Atlanta but only handed the ball off in his only snap. For the Falcons, Mike Hughes had four tackles and defended a pass in 50 defensive snaps.
M.J. Stewart recovered a fumble in punt coverage for Houston in the Texans’ 24–22 win at Green Bay, playing all 25 snaps on special teams. Texans rookie running back British Brooks had season-ending surgery last week to repair a torn meniscus.
Wide receiver Dyami Brown had one catch on three targets for 23 yards in Washington’s 40–7 home victory over Carolina.
Linebacker Amari Gainer played off the bench with no statistics in Las Vegas’ 20–15 road loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Chazz Surratt played 18 special-teams snaps with no statistics in the New York Jets’ 37–15 Sunday night loss at Pittsburgh.
On Monday, Tez Walker and Baltimore play at Tampa Bay (8:15 p.m., ESPN), and Charlie Heck’s Arizona Cardinals host the L.A. Chargers (9 p.m., ESPN+).
Asim Richards’ Dallas Cowboys had the weekend off.
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 — 7 games, 9 catches, 128 yards (41 longest), 1 TD
40–7 win vs. Carolina — 1 catch on 3 targes, 23 yards
Week 8 — 4:25 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, 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 — 5 games, 44 rushes, 151 yards (25 longest); 6 catches on 5 targets, 42 yards (10 longest); no kick returns; sacked once for a 1-yard loss
31–29 loss vs. Detroit — 2 carries, 4 yards (3 longest); 11 offensive snaps (18%), 6 special-teams snaps (19%)
Week 8 — 8:15 Thursday at Los Angeles Rams, Prime Video
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 — 5 games, 28 catches on 38 targets, 242 yards (25 longest), 8.8 average, 2 TDs; 1 carry, -1 yard; 6 kick returns, 13 yards
16–10 win vs. Miami — Didn’t start; 1 catch on 3 targets, 3 yards; 2 punt returns, 13 yards (13 longest); 38 offensive sanaps (61%), 6 special-teams snaps (22%)
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Houston, 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
16–10 loss at Indianapolis — 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; left game in fourth quarter with ankle injury; 10 special-teams snaps (37%)
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 310 | 3rd NFL season | UNC 2016–21
Roster situation — Starting left tackle
Season statistics — 7 games, 61 offensive snaps, 20 special-teams snaps
28–3 loss vs. Philadelphia — Started at left tackle; replacing Andrew Thomas, who is out for the season; 58 offensive snaps (100%), 1 special-teams snap (3%)
Week 8 — 8:15 Monday at Pittsburgh, ABC, ESPN
Tomon Fox, New York Giants linebacker
Age 26 | 6–2, 245 | third NFL season | UNC 2016–21
Roster situation — Third-string right outside linebacker
Season statistics — 2 games, 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 quarterback hits, 1 special-teams tackle
28–3 loss vs. Philadelphia — 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 quarterback hits; 21 defensive snaps (32%), 22 special-teams snaps (69%)
Week 8 — 8:15 Monday at Pittsburgh, ABC, ESPN
Amari Gainer, Las Vegas Raiders linebacker
Age 24 | 6–3, 235 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Fourth-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 7 games, 1 special-teams tackle
20–15 loss at Los Angeles Rams — Played off the bench with no statistics
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Kansas City, 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
Arizona plays host to the L.A. Chargers at 9 p.m. Monday, ESPN+
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, Fox
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 — 7 games, 7 catches, 80 yards (21 longest), 2 touchdowns, 1 tackle on punt coverage
34–10 win vs. Tennessee — Started; 0 catches on 1 target; 41 offensive snaps (75%), 1 defensive snap (1%), 16 special-teams snaps (57%)
Week 8 — 4:05 Sunday at Seattle, Fox
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
34–14 win at Atlanta — Made season debut, handing off in one offensive snap
Week 8 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Buffalo, 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 — 7 games, 28 tackles, 6 assists, 3 tackles for losses, 3 passes defended
34–14 loss vs. Seattle — Started; 4 tackles, 1 pass defended; 50 defensive snaps (83%)
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —-Starting QB ahead of Jacoby Brissett
Season statistics — 3 games, 50 of 78, 64.1%, 541 yards, 6.9 average (40 longest) 5 TDs, 2 INTs, 8 sacks for 66 yards, 95.1 passer rating; 10 carries, 68 yards (15 longest); 1 tackle
32–16 loss vs. Jacksonville in London — Started; 26 of 37, 276 yards (33 longest), 2 TDs, 0 INTs, 2 sacks for 18 yards, 109.7 passer rating; 3 carries, 18 yards (15 longest); 60 offensive snaps (100%); 20.84 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
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 snapd, 18 special-teams snaps
Dallas was off this weekend
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday 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 — 5 games, 1 tackle, 1 fumble recovery, 1 special-teams tackle, 1 special-teams assist
24–22 loss at Green Bay — 1 recovered fumble on punt coverage; 25 special-teams snaps *86%)
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, 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 — 7 games, 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 QB hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists
37–15 loss at Pittsburgh — Played 18 special-teams snaps (62%)
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New England, CBS
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
34–10 win vs. Tennessee — Didn’t play
Week 8 — 4:05 Sunday at Seattle, Fox
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
Baltimore plays at Tampa Bay at 8:15 Monday night, ESPN
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, CBS
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 — 7 games, 73 carries, 301 yards (20 longest), 4.1 average, 2 TDs; 23 catches on 29 targets, 166 yards (26 longest), 7.2 average; 2 fumbles
33–10 Thursday win at New Orleans — Started; 14 carries, 88 yards (20 longest), 2 TDs; 3 catches on 3 targets, 23 yards (9 longest); 41 offensive snaps (63%); 26.1 fantasy points
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday, Oct. 27, vs. Carolina, CBS
On PUP list
Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb (recovering from left knee injury)
On injured reserve
Houston running back British Brooks (had season-ending surgery to repair a torn miniscus)
Tennessee linebacker Cedric Gray (shoulder)
Detroit wide receiver Antoine Green (concussion)
Las Vegas defensive tackle Tomari Fox
On practice squad
Arizona running back Michael Carter
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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