By R.L. Bynum
From Drake Maye trying to will the Patriots’ offense forward, to Omarion Hampton grinding out yards against the Chiefs, Cedric Gray throwing his weight around for Tennessee, and Dyami Brown making plays in Jacksonville’s win, Tar Heels had impressive weekends, starting with Javonte Williams’ big game on Thursday.
Maye made a lot of big plays, throwing for 287 yards on 30 of 46 passing, but the Patriots couldn’t find rhythm in the second half and lost 20–13 to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The stat line showed both promise and frustration: one touchdown, one interception, four sacks, a fumble when he was hit from behind that New England recovered, and 11 yards rushing. In his second season, Maye’s passer rating of 80.6 was the fourth-lowest in his career in a game with more than six pass attempts.
Maye, who was sacked four times, took every offensive snap, but he admitted that his own execution was a big reason the offense dried up after halftime.
“Yeah, we’ve got to be better,” he said. “My decision on the first drive coming out was the one that killed the drive. I think getting points out of that first drive would’ve been huge.”
His interception on the first drive of the second half set up a Raiders touchdown to take a four-point lead.
On the throw, Maye said he thought he had the look he wanted but missed high, failing to step fully into the throw. He admitted there were “three, four from me, that can help dictate the game.”
Earlier, a delay-of-game penalty deep in Raiders territory proved costly, forcing the Patriots to settle for three instead of chasing seven.
“Got to be more efficient getting out of the huddle,” he said. “That starts with me.”
For all the mistakes, he still said he felt comfortable in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense, though he pointed out that in the NFL “seven versus three is huge” and that missed red-zone chances were the difference.
Maye said that the Raiders threw wrinkles at him after halftime, mixing pressure looks and coverage disguises that slowed New England’s tempo. A drive that began at the Las Vegas 40 after a botched kickoff fizzled on two incompletions, a sequence Maye singled out as swinging the momentum.
“If we hit those,” he said, “it’s a different ballgame.”
The big-play element was missing as well. New England’s longest gain covered just 27 yards. Maye credited the Raiders’ deep coverage shell and edge pressure for forcing shorter throws, saying it was “tough to throw the big plays against that.”
If there was a silver lining, it came in his distribution: ten receivers caught passes. Maye praised the group for being physical and balanced, calling it a sign that the Patriots won’t be dependent on one option.
And though he overthrew wide receiver DeMario Douglas on the opening drive, Maye pushed back on the idea of early jitters. “I felt good out there today,” he said, noting that rhythm came quickly afterward.
Maye said urgency is key heading to next week’s game at Miami, but said that perspective is just as important.
“Don’t let this game kind of bleed into the next,” he said. “Learn from it. It’s one game, and we’ve got to get back at it. The goal is not to have to show up again.”
Starting along with Maye for the Pats was Mack Hollins, but he only had one catch for three yards on two targets while playing 56% of the offensive snaps and nine special-teams snaps.
Here are some highlights of Week 1 for UNC alums:
— Hampton carried a heavy load in the Los Angeles Chargers’ 27–21 win on Friday in Brazil over Kansas City. Starting and playing 80% of the offensive snaps, Hampton rushed 15 times for 48 yards and caught both of his targets for 13 more. Though he didn’t break loose for a big run, Hampton was steady between the tackles and reliable in the passing game.
— Gray once again looked like a foundational piece of Tennessee’s defense in a 20–12 loss to Denver. The linebacker recorded four tackles and three assists, while also making a special-teams stop on kickoff coverage. Gray was on the field for 62 defensive snaps — 82% of Tennessee’s total.
— Brown had a productive Jacksonville debut in the Jaguars’ 26–10 win over Carolina. Starting at wide receiver, he caught three passes for 52 yards, including a 23-yard reception. He also chipped in two carries for six yards, logging 71% of the offensive snaps and providing a reliable secondary option for the Jaguars’ attack.
— Javonte Williams had a dazzling Dallas Cowboys debut. He rushed 15 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 10 yards. Read more about his game in this story.
Elsewhere:
— Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs had a quiet day in their 33–8 rout of Miami, catching two passes for 12 yards on three targets, playing nearly half the Colts’ offensive snaps.
— Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes started and played all 58 defensive snaps in the Falcons’ 23–20 loss to Tampa Bay, recording two assists.
— In his New Orleans Saints debut, offensive lineman Asim Richards played a rotational role in their 20–13 loss to Arizona. He logged 32 offensive snaps (43%) off the bench and reported as a tackle-eligible lineman twice.
— Minnesota’s Ty Chandler, Pittsburgh’s Cole Holcomb, Tampa Bay’s Charlie Heck, Seattle’s Chazz Surratt, Houston’s M.J. Stewart and Baltimore’s Tez Walker only played on special teams. In the Vikings’ 27–24 win Monday night in Chicago, Chandler returned three kickoffs for 84 yards, including a 33-yard return.
— Houston running back British Brooks wasn’t active after Jakob Johnson was elevated from the practice squad.
— Miami cornerback Storm Duck started at right cornerback but left the game late in the first half with an ankle injury after recording one tackle and one assist.
— Quarterbacks Sam Howell of Philadelphia and Mitch Trubisky of Buffalo didn’t play.
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
2024 season statistics — 5 games, 1 carry, 2 yards; suffered season-ending torn meniscus in Week 5
Season opener — Rams 14, Texans 9: not active for the game after Jakob Johnson was elevated from the practice squad
Next week — 7 p.m. Monday vs. Tampa Bay Bucs, ESPN, ABC
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Jacksonville, CBS
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
2024 season statistics — 18 games, 41 catches, 495 yards (51 longest), 2 TDs; 3 carries, 25 yards (14 longest); 0 of 1 passing
Season opener — Jaguars 26, Panthers 10: started; 3 catches on 4 targets, 52 yards (23 longest); 2 carries, 6 yards (4 longest); 47 offensive snaps (71%)
Next week — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, vs. Houston, CBS
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 27 | 5–11, 204 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Second-string kickoff returner; third-string running back
2024 season statistics — 17 games, 56 rushes, 182 yards (25 longest); 6 catches, 42 yards (10 longest); 8 kick returns, 205 yards; sacked once for a 1-yard loss; 3 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Season opener — Vikings 27, Bears 24: 3 kickoff returns, 84 yards (33 longest); 13 special-teams snaps (41%)
Next week — 8:20 Sunday vs. Atlanta, NBC
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, vs. Cincinnati, CBS
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
2024 season statistics — 14 games, 72 catches, 803 yards (69 longest), 5 TDs; 1 carry, 12 yards; 16 punt returns, 161 yards (23 longest); 1 tackle; 1 fumble recovery
Season opener — Colts 33, Dolphins 8: Didn’t start; 2 catches on 3 targets, 12 yards (6 longest); 36 offensive snaps (49%)
Next week — 4:05 Sunday vs. Denver, CBS
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Tennessee, CBS
Storm Duck, Miami Dolphins cornerback
Age 24 | 6–0, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
2024 season statistics — 14 games, 23 tackles, 11 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 4 passes defended, 2 tackles on kickoff coverage
Season opener — Colts 33, Dolphins 8: Started; 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended; injured, left game late in first half with an ankle injury; 29 defensive snaps (40%), 3 special-teams snaps (17%)
Next week — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New England Patriots, CBS
Week 3 — 8:15 Thursday, Sept. 18 at Buffalo, Prime Video
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Second-string left inside linebacker
2024 season statistics — 7 games, 6 tackles, 8 assists, 7 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Season opener — Broncos 20, Titans 12: Started; 4 tackles, 3 assists, 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 62 defensive snaps (82%), 11 special-teams snaps (38%)
Next week — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Rams, CBS
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, vs. Indianapolis, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Second-string running back behind Najee Harris
2024 season statistics (UNC) — 12 games, 281 carries, 1,660 yards, 15 TDs, 38 catches, 373 yards, 2 TDs
Season opener — Chargers 27, Chiefs 21: started; 15 carries, 48 yards (11 longest); 2 catches on 2 targets, 13 yards (7 longest); 52 offensive snaps (80%), 1 special-teams snap (4%); Harris played 12 snaps (18%)
Next week — 10 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at Las Vegas Raiders, ESPN
Week 3 — 4:05 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, vs. Denver, CBS
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics (Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers) — 9 games, 1 tackle
Season opener — Bucs 23, Falcons 20: played 5 special-teams snaps (19%)
Next week — 7 p.m. Monday at Houston Texans, ESPN, ABC
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Tennessee, CBS
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 28 | 6–1, 240 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
2024 season statistics — Missed season recovering from left knee injury suffered in Week 9 of the 2023 season
Season opener — Steelers 34, Jets 32: Played 8 special-teams snaps (26%)
Next week — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Seattle Seahawks, Fox
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at New England, CBS
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 31 | 6–4, 221 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
2024 season statistics (Buffalo Bills) — 18 games, 30 catches, 384 yards (44 longest), 5 TDs; 1 tackle; 2 special-teams tackles; 1 special-teams fumble recovery; 1 kickoff return, 38 yards
Season opener — Raiders 20, Patriots 13: started; 1 catch on 2 targets, 3 yards; 40 offensive snaps (56%), 9 special-teams snaps (31%)
Next week — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami Dolphins, CBS
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, vs. Pittsburgh, CBS
Sam Howell, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Third-string quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks) — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 INT, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Season opener — Eagles 24, Cowboys 20: Didn’t play
Next game — 4:25 Sunday, Sept. 14, at Kansas City Chiefs, Fox
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, vs. L.A. Rams, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
2024 season statistics — 15 games, 47 tackles, 15 assists, 4 tackles for losses, 6 passes defended
Season opener — Bucs 23, Falcons 20: started; 2 assists; 58 defensive snaps (100%)
Next week — 8:30 Sunday at Minnesota Vikings, NBC
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Carolina, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —-Starting QB ahead of Joshua Dobbs
2024 season statistics — 13 games, 225 of 338, 2,276 yards (40 longest), 15 TDs, 10 INTs, 33 sacks for 220, 88.3 passer rating; 54 carries, 421 yards (41 longest), 7.8 average, 2 TDs; 1 tackle
Season opener — Raiders 20, Patriots 13: Started; 30 of 46, 287 yards (27 longest), 1 touchdown, 1 interception, 4 sacks for 11 yards, 80.6 passer rating; 4 rushes, 11 yards (4 longest); 1 fumble (Pats recovered); 71 offensive snaps (100%)
Next week — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami Dolphins, CBS
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, vs. Pittsburgh, CBS
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 307 | third NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
2024 season statistics (Cowboys) — 13 games
Season opener — Cardinals 20, Saints 13: Didn’t start; 32 offensive snaps (43%), 5 special-teams snaps (19%), reported as tackle-eligible twice
Next week — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. San Francisco 49ers, Fox
Week 3 — 4:05 Sunday, Sept. 21, at Seattle, CBS
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 29 | 5–11, 205 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string free safety
2024 season statistics — 16 games, 6 tackles, 1 assist; 2 tackles for losses; 1 fumble recovery, 2 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Season opener — Rams 14, Texans 9: played 17 special-teams snaps (85%)
Next week — 7 p.m. Monday vs. Tampa Bay Bucs, ESPN, ABC
Week 3 — 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Jacksonville, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 28 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Uncertain
Season statistics (New York Jets) — 17 games, 17 tackles, 5 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 1 QB hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Season opener — 49ers 17, Seahawks 13: 1 assist on punt coverage; 15 special-teams snaps (65%)
Next week — 1 p.m. Sunday at Pittsburgh Steelers, Fox
Week 3 — 4:05 Sunday, Sept. 21, vs. New Orleans, CBS
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
2024 season statistics — 10 games, 19 of 26, 179 yards (20 longest), 2 TDs; 18 carries, -2 yards (8 longest)
Season opener — Bills 41, Ravens 40: Didn’t play
Next week — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, CBS
Week 3 — 8:15 Thursday, Sept. 18 vs. Miami, Prime Video
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
2024 season statistics — 10 games, 1 catch on 1 target, 21 yards, TD; 2 special-teams tackles
Season opener — Bills 41, Ravens 40: Played 21 special-teams snaps (60%)
Next week — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland Browns, CBS
Week 3 — 8:15 Monday, Sept. 22, vs. Detroit, ESPN, ABC, ESPN2
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 25 | 5–10, 220 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Miles Sanders
2024 season statistics (Denver Broncos) — 17 games, 141 carries, 514 yards (20 longest), 4 TDs; 51 catches, 310 yards (34 longest); 2 fumbles
Season opener — Eagles 24, Cowboys 20: Started; 15 carries, 54 yards (11 longest), 2 TDs; 2 catches on 3 targets, 10 yards (7 longest); 18.4 fantasy points; 47 offensive snaps (77%)
Next game — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Giants, Fox
Week 3 — 4:25 Sunday, Sept. 21, at Chicago, Fox
On injured reserve
New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezudu (IR with designation to return), undisclosed injury
Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin, leg injury (Rams released him in camp)
On practice squads
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
Chicago linebacker Power Echols
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
New England defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie
On reserve/non-football injury list
Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
Released during training camp
Linebacker Eugene Asanti by Miami
Running back Michael Carter by Arizona
Tight end John Copenhaver by Jacksonville
Linebacker Desmond Evans by Tennessee
Wide receiver Nate McCollum by Arizona
Defensive back Kyler McMichael by Pittsburgh
Photo via @nfl
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