By R.L. Bynum
It was a big Sunday for quarterback Drake Maye, running backs Omarion Hampton and Javonte Williams and linebacker Cedric Gray. But only Maye got a win, and he got a memorable, emotional moment in the process.
Hampton collected 165 total yards and a touchdown and Williams has 100 total yards and a touchdown while Gray had double-digit tackles.
But Maye’s New England Patriots got a 42–13 home win over his hometown Carolina Panthers, throwing two touchdown passes, including one to Mack Hollins. It was the most points by the Patriots without Bill Belichick since 1996.
In the process, Maye has made history:
— joining Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Buffalo’s Josh Allen as the only players in NFL history to record a passer rating of at least 135, one rushing touchdown and one touchdown pass (with a minimum of 10 attempts) in multiple games of a season. Maye also did it against Miami.
— becoming the second player in NFL history, after Tom Brady, to have a three-game streak of completing at least 75% of his passes and throwing at least two touchdown passes. Brady’s streak was four games.
After rolling out to the left and speeding into the end zone on a five-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, the Patriots quarterback pretended to rip open the front of his jersey, mimicking Cam Newton’s famous “Superman” celebration.
“I think it was cool seeing those jerseys,” Maye said of the Panthers jerseys. “They remind me of Cam — the energy he brought. So much emotion out there, I probably should show more [emotion], but [there are] times that I do.”
He looked up to Newton growing up in Huntersville, N.C., and following the Panthers.
“I think he played the position a different way than a lot of people do,” Maye said. “I think the guys around him rally around him. He was my favorite player growing up, so it’s pretty cool.”
The celebration set the tone for a dominant win, as Maye put together one of his sharpest performances in a Patriots uniform. He went 14 of 17 for 203 yards, threw for two touchdowns, posted a 155.6 passer rating and put up 23.22 fantasy points.
“Just proud of the guys,” Maye said. “I thought they played hard. When we get back to our fundamentals and back to establishing our identity … I felt like we did that and probably didn’t hurt ourselves.”
Maye’s decision-making was as crisp as his passing. In the third quarter, under pressure, he tucked the ball and went down for no gain — a small play that set up a big one. Maye lamented that he probably also could have thrown the ball away.
“If there’s nothing there, just try to live the next play and live another day. And just learning that, they lead to good things,” Maye said.
Three plays later, Maye connected a 31-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Henry to expand the lead. Early in the fourth quarter, he added a four-yard touchdown pass to Hollins, who has two touchdowns on five receptions this season.
Maye said there were plenty of improvements over the Patriots’ Week 3 21–14 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“What we put on tape last week was not what we want to do, who we want to be,” Maye said of his offense. “We established a run early. We thought we hit it right on the head and turned into explosive plays. Just proud of the guys. Just kept on fighting, and I thought we’re in a good situation.”
Maye distributed the ball to seven receivers and was sacked just once, thanks to a strong day from the offensive line.
“They play the role,” he said. “I think it’s those five guys are playing their tails off.”
This wasn’t just a good statistical day — it was a commanding one, and Maye left the field looking more comfortable than ever in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system.
“I sure hope so, if it leads to wins,” Maye said when asked if this was the version of himself he’s striving for. “That’s what I’m trying to become, the quarterback I’m trying to become.”
If Sunday is any indication, Maye and the Patriots are beginning to find their rhythm.
In the Los Angeles Chargers’ first loss of the season, 21–18 on the road against the New York Giants, Hampton had his best game of the season.
Hampton had 12 carries for 128 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown run down the right sideline in the third quarter to cut the Chargers’ deficit to three. There was no more scoring in the game, though.
Hampton caught all five passes targeted to him for 37 yards (including a 19-yard reception), to give him 165 total yards.
He showcased his familiar power running, which makes him hard to bring down.
Williams had 20 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 15 yards in the Dallas Cowboys’ 40–40 overtime tie Sunday night with the Green Bay Packers. That came after only getting 43 carries throught the first three games.
Williams took a direct snap late in regulation and ran it through the right side of the line for a one-yard touchdown run.
Williams, averaging 19.8 touches per game, is in the top five in the NFL in rushing yards and the top two in rushing touchdowns. Much like Hampton earlier on Sunday, Williams was hard to bring down.
In the previous two seasons, Williams had only one game with at least 85 rushing yards but he’s done it twice this season.
The game didn’t go well for winless Tennessee, but Gray had the best game of his career in a 36–0 loss in Houston. After getting 11 tackles and six assists in the first three games, he nearly matched that with 10 tackles, seven assists and one tackle for a loss while pressuring the quarterback once.
Elsewhere among former Tar Heels:
— Indianapolis wide receiver Josh Downs had four catches on five targets for 24 yards, including an eight-yard reception.
— Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes, who has started all four games, collected four tackles and defended a pass.
— Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holecomb had two total tackles and an assist in 21 total snaps, and Seattle’s Chazz Surratt only played on special teams.
— Houston running back British Brooks and Arizona running back Michael Carter (elevated from the practice squad) each made their season debuts. Carter had one carry for one yard in five total snaps, and Brooks had no statistics, with 15 of his 18 snaps coming on special teams.
— Houston safety M.J. Stewart had one tackle, one assist, defended one pass and had two special-teams tackles in his first start of the season.
— Tampa Bay offensive lineman Charlie Heck started, played all 72 offensive snaps and had one tackle after an interception, while New Orleans offensive lineman Asim Richards played three special-teams snaps.
— Baltimore wide receiver Tez Walker played off the bench but didn’t get any passes targeted to him and got called for holding, with eight of his 12 snaps on special teams.
— Neither Buffalo quarterback Mitch Trubisky nor Philadelphia quarterback Sam Howell (who wasn’t active for his game) played.
—Missing games with injuries were Jacksonville wide receiver Dyami Brown (shoulder) and Miami cornerback Storm Duck (ankle; Dolphins play Monday).
—The New York Giants waived linebacker Tomon Fox from their practice squad last week after he played 33 total snaps in Week 3.
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
Week 4: Texans 26, Titans 0 (season debut) — Played off the bench, no statistics; 3 offensive snaps (4%), 15 special-teams snaps (68%)
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, 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 4 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox: Not active for the game (shoulder injury)
Week 5 — 8:15 Monday vs. Kansas City, ESPN, ABC, ESPN2
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
2024 season statistics — 3 games, 35 carries, 131 yards (13 longest), 1 TD; 11 catches on 11 targets, 57 yards (18 longest)
Week 4: Seahawks 23, Cardinals 20 (season debut) — 1 carry, 1 yard; 4 offensive snaps (6%), 1 special-teams snap (4%)
Week 5 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Tennessee, CBS
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 — 4 games, 2 starts, 14 catches, 121 yards (29 longest)
Week 4: Rams 27, Colts 20 — Didn’t start; 4 catches on 5 targets, 24 yards (8 longest); 38 offensive snaps (62%)
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Las Vegas, 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 4 — 7:15 Monday vs. New York Jets, ESPN (will miss game with an ankle injury)
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Carolina, Fox
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 — 4 games, 4 starts, 21 tackles, 13assists, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 quarterback pressure, 1 special-teams tackle
Week 4: Texans 26, Titans 0 — Started; 10 tackles, 7 assists, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 quarterback pressure; 67 defensive snaps (94%), 8 special-teams snaps (36%)
Week 5 — 4:05 Sunday at Arizona, 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 — 4 games, 4 starts, 54 carries, 270 yards (54 longest), 2 touchdowns; 14 catches, 110 yards (22 longest)
Week 4: Giants 21, Chargers 18 — 12 carries, 128 yards (54 longest), 1 touchdown; 5 catches on 5 targets, 37 yards (19 longest); 56 offensive snaps (89%)
Scoring play: 54-yard touchdown run, 1:27 left in the third quarter
Week 5 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, Fox
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 — 4 games, 1 tackle; 212 offensive snaps, 21 special-teams snaps
Week 4: Eagles 31, Bucs 25 — Started; 1 tackle after an interception; 72 offensive snaps (100%), 5 special-teams snaps (15%)
Week 5 — 4:05 Sunday at Seattle, CBS
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 — 4 games, 1 start, 8 tackles, 1 assist, 1 forced fumble, 1 special-teams tackle, 1 special-teams assist
Week 4: Steelers 24, Vikings 21 — 1 tackle, 1 tackle on kickoff coverage, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 10 defensive snaps (13%), 11 special-teams snaps (44%)
Week 5 — Open date; next game is at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, vs. Cleveland, CBS
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 — 4 games, 3 starts, 5 catches, 42 yards (11 longest), 2 TDs
Week 4: Patriots 42, Panthers 13 — Didn’t start; 1 catch on 1 target, 4 yards, 1 touchdown; 24 offensive snaps (49%), 1 defensive snap (1%)
Touchdown reception: 4-yard pass from Drake Maye with 14:13 left in the fourth quarter
Week 5 — 8:20 Sunday at Buffalo, NBC
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 4: Eagles 31, Bucs 25 — Not active for the game
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Denver, CBS
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 7 tackles, 4 assists, 2 passes defended
Week 4: Falcons 34, Commanders 27 — Started; 4 tackles, 1 pass defended; 57 defensive snaps (100%)
Week 5 — Open date; next game is at 7:15 Monday, Oct 13., vs. Buffalo, ESPN
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 — 4 games, 4 starts, 91 of 123, 988 yards, 7 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 13 sacks (48 yards in losses), 109.4 passer rating; 24 carries, 98 yards (15 longest), 2 touchdowns; 3 fumbles (1 lost)
Week 4: Patriots 42, Panthers 13 — Started; 14 of 17, 203 yards (33 longest) 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 1 sack (no loss), 155.6 passer rating; 3 carries, 11 yards (5 longest), 1 touchdown; 23.22 fantasy points; 43 offensive snaps (88%)
Scoring plays:
— 5-yard touchdown run, 14:54 left in the second quarter
— 31-yard pass to Hunter Henry, 10:17 left in the third quarter
— 4-yard pass to Mack Hollins, 14:13 left in the fourth quarter
Week 5 — 8:20 Sunday at Buffalo, NBC
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 — 4 games, 105 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps
Week 4: Bills 31, Saints 19 — Played 3 special-teams snaps
Week 5 — 1 p.m Sunday vs. New York Giants, 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 — 4 games, 1 start, 2 tackles, 1 assist, 1 pass defended, 2 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Week 4: Texans 26, Titans 0 — Started; 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended, 2 special-teams tackles; 45 defensive snaps (90%), 6 special-teams snaps (27%)
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, 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 — 4 games, 1 tackle, 1 special-teams tackle, 3 special-teams assists
Week 4: Seahawks 23, Cardinals 20 (Thursday night) — 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 17 special-teams snaps (63%)
Week 5 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Tampa Bay, 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
Season statistics — 1 game, 1 of 2, 32 yards; 3 carries, -3 yards (3 kneel-downs)
Week 4: Bills 31, Saints 19 — Didn’t play
Week 5 — 8:20 Sunday vs. New England, NBC
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 4 games, 1 start, 3 catches, 60 yards, 2 touchdowns
Week 4: Chiefs 37, Ravens 20 — No statistics; called for holding; 4 offensive snaps (7%), 8 special-teams snaps (31%)
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, 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 — 4 games, 4 starts, 63 carries, 312 yards (30 longest), 4 touchdowns; 16 catches, 74 yards (11 longest)
Week 4: Cowboys 40, Packers 40, OT — Started; 20 carries, 85 yards (13 longest), 1 touchdown; 3 catches on 3 targets, 15 yards (9 longest); 16.0 fantasy points; 55 offensive snaps (80%)
Touchdown: 1-yard run, 4:50 left in the fourth quarter
Week 5 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, Fox
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
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
Photo via @Patriots
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