Editor’s note: I’ll be covering UNC men’s basketball in Hawaii next weekend, and it’s unlikely there will be a Tar Heels in NFL roundup next weekend so I can vacation between games.
By R.L. Bynum
Drake Maye had the best game of his rookie NFL season, but his late interception prevented it from coming in a victory.
But that didn’t prevent the NFL and New England Patriots fans from concluding that he’s one of the top rookie quarterbacks in the league and has a bright future on a day that two former UNC teammates — Josh Downs and Javonte Williams — had big days.
Career-bests of 30 completions (on 40 attempts) and 282 passing yards weren’t enough as host New England lost to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday 28–22 and that interception and his fumble that the Pats lost weighed heavy on Maye.
“Can’t hurt our defense on the fumble on third down. Can’t take a sack there,” Maye said during the postgame press conference (Maye’s portion starts at 19:07). “We did some good things, but then they just weren’t good enough.”
Maye became the first New England quarterback since Tom Brady in 2019 to throw for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter. Maye, who lost a fumble, connected with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne on a 9-yard TD pass with 5:05 left in the first quarter to give the Pats a 7–0 lead.
His 100.2 passer rating was second only to the 109.7 when he threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns in New England’s Week 7 32–16 loss at Jacksonville.
With 12:45 left in the game, Maye threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to 6–5, 315-pound offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, and a 42-yard Joey Slye field goal with 4:54 remaining cut the Patriots’ deficit to six.
Trailing by six at the Patriots 25 on a third-and-13 with 1:55 left, Maye threw a deep pass intended for wide receiver DeMario Douglas that Rams defensive back Kamren Kinchens intercepted. Douglas appeared not to expect the throw to come his way because he didn’t look back, making Kinchens’ interception easier. Patriots coach Jerod Mayo blamed the interception on miscommunication.
“They’re pretty good up front, rushing five,” Maye said. “So, I tried to put it on him and kind of hit him over the linebacker. At the end of the day, just got to be on the same page. Got to just talk through more conversations. And just goes back to me during the week, doing more talking through different situations.”
Maye said he is seeing improvements in his game.
“I think this week just scrambling to be a passer,” said Maye, who produced 18.98 fantasy points. “I think not taking off so early, and being a scrambler, throwing the ball downfield. I think week to week, we’re getting better.”
Early in the fourth quarter, Maye completed a four-yard touchdown pass to 6–5, 315-pound offensive tackle Vederian Lowe.
The rest of the season will be about Maye’s development since the Patriots, at 3–8, won’t make the playoffs.
“I love Drake Maye,” former Patriots star Rob Gronkowski said during Fox’s pregame show. “I love everything about him. … Just that aura around him. He’s a complete leader. He’s a complete quarterback out on the football field. He has that aura around him where the players like him, they like what he’s doing, they like how he prepares.
Downs caught all five passes targeted to him for 84 yards and a touchdown and put up 19.4 fantasy points in the Indianapolis Colts’ 28–27 road victory over the New York Jets.
Downs caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson with 10:11 left in the game to pull Indianapolis within two points. Richardson’s four-yard touchdown run with 46 seconds left won it for Indianapolis.
Early in the second half, Downs made a huge catch after Richardson barely got the pass off on a third-and-9 under pressure for an 11-yard gain.
Downs, who also returned three punts for 37 yards, including a 16-yard return, also made a diving catch in the first quarter for 31 yards.
Chazz Surratt played off the bench for the Jets but had no statistics.
After not starting for Denver and getting only three touches during Week 10, Williams got nine carries for 59 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 28 yards in Denver’s 38–6 home win over Atlanta.
Williams, who had 18.7 fantasy points, bulled his way through several defenders and was lifted by a few teammates toward the end of his 14-yard touchdown run with 6:15 left in the second quarter to give Denver a 14–3 lead.
Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes was inactive for the game.
Mack Hollins caught both passes targeted to him for 27 yards for Buffalo in the Bills’ 30–21 home win over Kansas City. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky didn’t play.
Dyami Brown had one catch on two targets for four yards in 25 offensive snaps during Washington’s 26–18 Thursday loss at Philadelphia.
Ty Chandler returned one kickoff for 35 yards in Minnesota’s 23–13 win at Tennessee.
Cornerback Storm Duck, returning after missing two games, had two tackles and two assists in Miami’s 34–19 home win over Las Vegas. For the Raiders, Amari Gainer had one tackle on kickoff coverage.
Rookie wide receiver Tez Walker was inactive for Baltimore in the Ravens’ 18–16 loss at Pittsburgh.
Quarterback Sam Howell, who has played only one snap all season, didn’t play in Seattle’s 20–17 win at San Francisco.
Week 11 concludes Monday night with Asim Richards and the Dallas Cowboys hosting M.J. Stewart and the Houston Texans.
Joshua Ezeudu, Tomon Fox, and the New York Giants, as well as Charlie Heck and the Arizona Cardinals, 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 — 11 games, 14 catches, 149 yards (41 longest), 10.6 average, 1 TD
26–18 Thursday loss at Philadelphia — Didn’t start; 1 catches on 2 targets, 4 yards; 25 offensive snaps (38%), 6 special-teams snaps (22%)
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas, Fox
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 — 10 games, 48 rushes, 169 yards (25 longest); 6 catches, 42 yards (10 longest); 10 kick returns, 35 yards; sacked once for a 1-yard loss; 1 special-teams tackle
23–13 win at Tennessee — 1 kickoff return for 35 yards; 1 tackle on punt coverage
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Chicago, 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 — 9 games, 50 catches, 467 yards (69 longest), 11.3 average, 4 TDs; 1 carry, 12 yards; 14 punt returns, 157 yards (23 longest); 1 tackle; 1 fumble recovery
28–27 win at New York Jets — Started; 5 catches on 5 targets, 84 yards (31 longest), 1 TD; 3 punt returns, 37 yards (12.3 average; 16 longest);19.4 fantasy points
Week 12 — Open date; Week 13: 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at New England, 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 — 7 games, 97 tackles, 5 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 1 pass defended, 2 tackles on kickoff coverage
34–19 win vs. Las Vegas — 2 tackles, 2 assists
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New England, CBS
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 — 9 games, 62 offensive snaps, 30 special-teams snaps
The Giants were off this weekend
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tampa Bay, CBS
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 — 5 games, 3 tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 quarterback hits, 1 special-teams tackle, 1 special-teams assist
The Giants were off this weekend
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tampa Bay, CBS
Amari Gainer, Las Vegas Raiders linebacker
Age 24 | 6–3, 235 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Fourth-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 10 games, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists
34–19 loss at Miami — 1 tackle on kickoff coverage
Week 12 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Denver, 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 — 7 games, 30 offensive snaps, 25 special-teams snaps
The Texans were off this weekend
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, 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 — 11 games, 19 catches, 224 yards (44 longest), 3 touchdowns; 1 tackle; 1 special-teams tackle; 1 special-teams fumble recovery
30–21 win vs. Kansas City — Started; 3 catches on 3 targets, 27 yards (15 longest); 4.7 fantasy points
Week 12 — Open date; Week 13: 8:20 Sunday, Dec. 1, vs. San Francisco, NBC
Sam Howell, Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | 3rd NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Geno Smith
Season statistics — 1 game, one snap
20–17 win at San Francisco — Didn’t play
Week 12 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Arizona, 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 — 10 games, 34 tackles, 8 assists, 3 tackles for losses, 3 passes defended
38–6 loss at Denver — Not active for the game
Week 12 — Open date; Week 13: 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
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 — 7 games, 127 of 190 (66.8%), 1,236 yards (40 longest), 9 TDs, 6 INTs, 17 sacks for 120; 28 carries, 260 yards (26 longest), 1 TD; 1 tackle
28–22 loss vs. Los Angeles Rams — Started; 30 of 40, 282 yards (28 longest), 2 TDs, 1 INT, 3 sacks for 25 yards, 100.2 passer rating; 3 carries, 27 yards (16 longest); 18.98 fantasy points
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, 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 — 8 games; 22 offensive snaps, 25 special-teams snaps entering weekend
Dallas hosts Houston on Monday night
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Washington, Fox
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 — 8 games, 1 tackle, 1 fumble recovery, 1 special-teams tackle, 1 special-teams assist
Houston plays at Dallas on Monday night
Week 12 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, 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 — 9 games, 10 tackles, 1 assist, 2 tackles for losses, 1 QB hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
28–27 loss vs. Indianapolis — Played off the bench with no statistics
Week 12 — Open date; Week 13: 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, vs. Seattle, Fox
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 — 5 games, 2 of 3, 5 yards; 7 carries, -7 yards (seven kneel-downs)
30–21 win vs. Kansas City — Didn’t play
Week 12 — Open date; Week 13: 8:20 Sunday, Dec. 1, vs. San Francisco, NBC
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
Season statistics — 4 games, 1 special-teams tackle
18–16 loss at Pittsburgh — Not active for the game
Week 12 — 8:15 Monday at Los Angeles Chargers, 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 — 11 games, 112 carries, 447 yards (20 longest), 2 TDs; 35 catches on 44 targets, 250 yards (34 longest); 2 fumbles
38–6 win vs. Atlanta — Started; 9 carries, 59 yards (14 longest), 1 TD; 4 catches on 5 targets, 28 yards (15 longest)
Week 12 — 4:05 Sunday at Las Vegas, 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 meniscus)
Tennessee linebacker Cedric Gray (shoulder)
Detroit wide receiver Antoine Green (concussion)
Las Vegas defensive tackle Tomari Fox
Off IR but inactive
Tennessee linebacker Cedric Gray (shoulder)
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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