By R.L. Bynum
In a battle between a veteran quarterback and a rising star, 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers got the best of Drake Maye on Sunday, even though the second-year quarterback had better overall numbers on a day that Omarion Hampton scored his first NFL touchdown and collected 129 total yards.
Rodgers only threw for 139 yards, but threw two touchdown passes. They included the game-winner with 2:20 left that powered the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 21–14 road win, his first win in New England.
Maye was efficient, going 28 of 37 for 268 yards, two touchdowns and a 102.1 passer rating, but with one costly interception in the end zone. After the game, he admitted the turnovers were the difference.
“I think it’s one of those things that kept piling on,” Maye said. “Defense played their butts off, and the guys in the locker room are playing hard and fighting hard, so it was tough and stings. And just knowing we hurt ourselves, and that’s what will cost us.”
That interception came late in the second quarter, with New England threatening to take the lead. Maye explained that it was more about execution than decision-making.
“I had [Kayshon] Boutte,” he said. “Fired it in there. I think [Cameron Heyward] got a hand on it and just took it a different route. It’s a good play by him, but I think I could have given a different ball flight, got it to the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown.”
Despite the turnover, Maye kept the Patriots in it. He even ran for 45 yards — more than he had combined in the first two weeks — helping extend drives and keeping Pittsburgh’s defense on its heels.
But that winning Pittsburgh drive started when it recovered a fumble after linebacker Nick Herbig punched the ball out of Maye’s hands with 7:41 remaining, when the game was tied at 14.
New England still had a chance late, driving to the Steelers’ 28 before facing fourth-and-one. Maye quickly threw to DeMario Douglas, who was stopped short.
Maye reflected on that final sequence.
“[I] expect the pressure to get something out quick,” he said. “I wish I would have told those guys to just try to catch it, get upfield. I wish I would have told them that in the huddle, those little things go a long way. Just trying to make a play, just respecting some type of blitz look. I think they played some blitz trap deal, but that’s this league.”
Maye, who is quickly becoming the leader of this young New England offense, defended running back Rhamondre Stevenson after two costly fumbles.
“Yeah, he’s one of our best players,” Maye said. “I think there’s nothing that I think he could do that changed my view. You know him as a player, as a teammate, does everything the right way… So just pump him up. Be there for him. And we know we need it throughout the season.”
Both of Maye’s touchdown passes were to Hunter Henry: a five-yard play in the second quarter and a 16-yard pass early in the fourth quarter.
Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins started and caught a season-high four passes on four targets for 27 yards after getting only two catches in the first two weeks.
Linebacker Cole Holcomb started for the Steelers, recording five tackles, one assist and forcing a fumble.
Hampton scored on a three-yard run in the third quarter of the Chargers’ home 23–20 victory over the Denver Broncos.
After combining for only 23 carries and 72 yards in the first two games, Hampton ran 19 times for 70 yards, including an 11-yard run and racked up 24.9 fantasy points. He only had three catches in the first two weeks, but caught six passes for 59 yards, including a 22-yard reception on Sunday.
Javonte Williams had a productive game in the Dallas Cowboys’ 31–14 loss at Chicago, getting 10 carries for 76 yards and catching all five passes targeted to him for 16 yards.
Ben Johnson, a former walk-on UNC quarterback, got his first win as a head coach in the NFL with that Bears victoy.
Jacksonville wide receiver Dyami Brown started for the third consecutive week and had two catches for seven yards, but suffered a shoulder injury on the last catch late in the first half. He caught a screen pass from QB Trevor Lawrence, and Texans linebacker Aziz Al-Shaair tackled him to the ground.
In other action:
— Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught two of three passes targeted to him for 34 yards (including a 29-yard gain) in Indianapolis’ 41–20 win over Tennessee.
— Titans linebacker Cedric Gray recorded three tackles, two assists and a tackle on kickoff coverage.
— Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes had one tackle and two assists in Atlanta’s 30–0 loss at Carolina.
— Texans safety M.J. Stewart had a tackle Houston’s 17–10 loss to Jacksonville, playing 24 of his 29 snaps on special teams.
— Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt recorded a tackle on kickoff coverage in Seattle’s 44–13 rout of New Orleans.
— Offensive linemen Charlie Heck of Tampa Bay and Asim Richards of New Orleans both started and played every offensive snap. After playing 68 offensive snaps combined in the first two games, Heck played 72 offensive snaps on Sunday. Richards played 73 offensive snaps after only getting 32 in the first two weeks.
— Baltimore’s Tez Walker caught the only pass targeted to him for 34 yards.
— Houston running back British Brooks and Miami cornerback Storm Duck weren’t active for their Sunday games, while neither Philadelphia quarterback Sam Howell nor Buffalo quarterback Mitch Trubisky played.
— The New York Giants elevated Tomon Fox from the practice squad for their 22–9 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and he played 14 defensive snaps and 19 special-teams snaps with no statistics.
Week 3 concludes on Monday at 8:15 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2) when Tez Walker and the Baltimore Ravens host the Detroit Lions.
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 (hasn’t played this season) — 5 games, 1 carry, 2 yards; suffered season-ending torn meniscus in Week 5
Week 3: Jaguars 17, Texans 10 — Not active for the game
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, CBS
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 10 catches, 116 yards (23 longest), 11.6 average, 1 TD; 3 carries, 15 yards (9 longest)
Week 3: Jaguars 17, Texans 10 — Started; 2 catches on 3 targets, 7 yards (6 longest); suffered a shoulder injury on a play at the end of the first half and didn’t return; 23 offensive snaps (33%)
Week 4 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 3 games, 2 starts, 10 catches, 97 yards (29 longest)
Week 3: Colts 41, Titans 20 — Started; 2 catches on 3 targets, 34 yards (29 longest); 29 offensive snaps (51%)
Week 4 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Rams, Fox
Storm Duck, Miami Dolphins cornerback
Age 24 | 6–0, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 1 game, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended
Week 3: Bills 31, Dolphins 21 — Not active (ankle injury)
Week 4 — 7:15 Monday vs. New York Jets, ESPN
Tomon Fox, New York Giants linebacker
Age 27 | 6–2, 245 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2016–21
Roster situation — Third-string outside linebacker
Roster situation — Third-string outside linebacker
2024 season statistics — 11 games, 6 tackles, 6 assists, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 quarterback hits, 2 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Week 3: Chiefs 22, Giants 9 (season debut) — 14 defensive snaps (19%), 19 special-teams snaps (90%)
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Second-string left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 11 tackles, 6 assists, 1 special-teams tackle
Week 3: Colts 41, Titans 20 — Started; 3 tackles, 2 assists, 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 32 defensive snaps (56%), 18 special-teams snaps (64%)
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Houston, 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
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 42 carries, 142 yards (11 longest), 1 touchdown; 9 catches, 73 yards (22 longest)
Week 3: Chargers 23, Broncos 20 — Started; 19 carries, 70 yards (11 longest), 1 touchdown; 6 catches on 7 targets, 59 yards (22 longest); 24.9 fantasy points; 68 offensive snaps (79%), 2 special-teams snaps (6%)
His score:
—1:56 2nd quarter, in shotgun — Run over right tackle for 3 yards
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Giants, 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 — 3 games, 140 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps
Week 3: Bucs 29, Jets 27 — Started; 72 offensive snaps (100%), 8 special-teams snaps (25%)
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 28 | 6–1, 240 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 start, 7 tackles, 1 assist, 1 forced fumble
Week 3: Steelers 21, Patriots 14 — Started; 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 forced fumble; 37 defensive snaps (50%), 7 special-teams snaps (41%)
Week 4 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Minnesota in Dublin, Ireland, NFL Network
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 31 | 6–4, 221 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 6 catches, 38 yards (11 longest), 1 TD
Week 3: Steelers 21, Patriots 14 — Started; season-high 4 catches on 4 targets, 27 yards (11 longest); 46 offensive snaps (62%), 4 special-teams snaps (24%)
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, Fox
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); hasn’t played this season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 3: Eagles 33, Rams 26 — Didn’t play
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 3 tackles, 4 assists, 1 pass defended
Week 3: Panthers 30, Falcons 0 — Started; 1 tackle, 2 assists; 58 defensive snaps (100%)
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Washington, CBS
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
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 77 of 106, 785 yards, 7.4 average, 5 touchdowns, 2 interception, 12 sacks (48 yards in losses), 101.3 passer rating; 21 carries, 87 yards (15 longest), 1 touchdown; 3 fumbles (1 lost)
Week 3: Steelers 21, Patriots 14 — Started; 28 of 37, 268 yards (23 longest), 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 5 sacks (18 yards), 102.1 passer rating; 7 carries, 45 yards (15 longest); 1 fumble (lost); 74 offensive snaps (100%); 20.22 fantasy points
Touchdown plays:
— 9:04 2nd — Pass short left to tight end Hunter Henry for 5 yards
— 15:00 4th; shotgun — Pass short middle to Henry for 16 yards
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, Fox
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 307 | third NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 3 games, 105 offensive snaps, 13 special-teams snaps
Week 3: Seahawks 44, Saints 13 — Started, was called for two holding penalties, but both were declined; 73 offensive snaps (100%), 4 special-teams snaps (12%)
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, CBS
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 29 | 5–11, 205 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string free safety
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 tackle, 1 special-teams assist
Week 3: Jaguars 17, Texans 10 — 1 tackle; 5 defensive snaps (7%), 24 special-teams snaps (89%)
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 28 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-team middle linebacker
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 tackle, 1 special-teams tackle, 2 special-teams assists
Week 3: Seahawks 44, Saints 13 — 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 20 special-teams snaps (21%)
Week 4 — 8:15 Thursday at Arizona, Prime Video
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
Season statistics — 1 game, 1 of 2, 32 yards; 3 carries, -3 yards (3 kneel-downs)
Week 3: Bills 31, Dolphins 21 — Didn’t play
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 start, 3 catches, 60 yards, 2 touchdowns
Week 3: Lions 38, Ravens 30 — 1 catch on 1 target, 34 yards; downed a punt; 7 offensive snaps (12%), 18 special-teams snaps (60%)
Week 4 — 4:25 Sunday at Kansas City, CBS
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
Season statistics — 3 games, 4 starts, 43 carries, 227 yards (30 longest), 5.3 average, 3 touchdowns; 13 catches, 59 yards (11 longest)
Week 3: Bears 31, Cowboys 14 — Started; 10 carries, 76 yards (22 longest); 5 catches on 5 targets, 16 yards (6 longest); 13.2 fantasy points; 44 offensive snaps (59%)
Week 4 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Green Bay, NBC
On injured reserve
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, knee injury
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
Arizona running back Michael Carter
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
On reserve/non-football injury list
Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
Waived from practice squads
Linebacker Power Echols by Chicago
Linebacker Tomon Fox by the New York Giants
Defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie by New England
Released during training camp
Linebacker Eugene Asanti by Miami
Tight end John Copenhaver by Jacksonville
Linebacker Desmond Evans by Tennessee
Wide receiver Nate McCollum by Arizona
Defensive back Kyler McMichael by Pittsburgh
Photos via @Patriots, @chargers
tarheeltribune.com 