By R.L. Bynum
Every week, Drake Maye displays magical performances and makes history along the way.
On Sunday, Maye, who might be one of the best quarterback in the NFL through six weeks, led the New England Patriots to their third consecutive victory on the same day that Josh Downs caught his first touchdown pass of the season.
In the Patriots’ 25–19 victory at New Orleans on Sunday, Maye consistently made throws in rhythm and threw into tight windows, going 18 of 26 for 261 yards and three touchdowns with a 140.1 passer rating.
“There was much left on the plate,” said Maye, who always wants more. “But good teams, some good players, and I played hard. Tough playing here at their place. So, proud of the guys for coming out with the win. The defense covered our butts in the second half and played their butts off.”
He became the fourth player in NFL history to throw for more than 200 yards with a passer rating of at least 100 in five consecutive games at the age of 23 or younger, joining Patrick Mahomes (streaks of seven and five games), Dan Marino (six games) and Dak Prescott (five games).
Maye threw two first-quarter touchdown passes under pressure to join Mahomes and Joe Burrow as the only quarterbacks since at least 2018 to throw for multiple first-quarter touchdown passes under pressure, according to Next Gen Stats.
He opened the game with a 65-yard drive capped by a 53-yard touchdown pass to DeMario Douglas with 10:52 left in the first quarter.
A 61-yard first-quarter pass to Douglas would have gone for another touchdown if not for a questionable offensive pass interference penalty against Stefon Diggs.
“Yeah, I wasn’t sure,” Maye said of the call. “I was on the ground. I’m not sure, but it’s just unfortunate. I think that stuff happens.”
Maye continued the drive, though, which ended with Maye connecting with wide receiver Kayshon Boutte for a 25-yard touchdown pass with 33 seconds left in the first half.
“He was huge,” Maye said. “Boutte with a great, great play in the back of the end zone, just trying to give him a chance on one-on-one. One-on-ones are open this league, and you’ve got to know that.”
Maye connected with Boutte again later for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 38 seconds left in the first quarter, then powered in a two-point conversion run.
In the third quarter, Maye connected with Mack Hollins for a big third-and-11 conversion for a 16-yard gain. Hollins came off the bench to catch two passes on three targets for 28 yards.
“I’ve got to give Mack the ball more often on third down, have some more chance to push the ball down the field,” Maye said. “I think just being diverse and doing a lot of different things. Hit them short, make them come up, then you can hit some deep ones.”
Then, trying to preserve the lead with the game on the line, Maye delivered again. Facing third-and-11 with 2:33 left, he fired a 21-yard strike to Boutte to seal the win.
“It’s about making good decisions,” Maye said. “I think it’s just trying to prove over and over again you’ll be consistent in doing that, and you’re known to be smart with the football. I think that’s the biggest thing in that situation, is try to get first down — safe throw to the sideline, and what a play by Boutte.”
It was an emotional moment for several Patriots with ties to New Orleans, including Boutte.
“It was cool seeing them do their thing,” Maye said. “It’s special coming home. I haven’t been back to Charlotte yet.”
With three straight wins, two on the road, Maye said the team’s focus remains good.
“We’ve got more work to do,” he said. “I think that’s the big thing. We’ve got to keep going and building on it.”
At 4–2, the Patriots have matched the win totals of each of the last two seasons.
Saints offensive lineman Asim Richards played four offensive snaps and five special-teams snaps off the bench.
| Week | C–A–TDs–I– Yards | C% | QB rating | Rushes– Yards–TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30–46–1–1–287 | 65.2 | 80.6 | 4–11–0 |
| 2 | 19–23–2–0–230 | 82.6 | 137.3 | 10–31–1 |
| 3 | 28–37–2–1–268 | 75.7 | 102.1 | 7–45–0 |
| 4 | 14–17–2–0–203 | 82.4 | 155.6 | 3–11–1 |
| 5 | 22–30–0–0–273 | 73.3 | 101.1 | 3–12–0 |
| 6 | 18–26–3–0–261 | 69.2 | 140.1 | 9–28–0 |
| 7 | 21–23–2–0–222 | 91.3 | 135.9 | 8–62–0 |
| 8 | 18–24–3–1–282 | 75.0 | 135.8 | 7–50–0 |
| 9 | 19–29–2–1–259 | 65.5 | 102.5 | 8–20–0 |
| 10 | 16–31–2–1–270 | 51.6 | 84.4 | 7–13–0 |
| 11 | 25–34–1–0–281 | 73.5 | 107.6 | 4–2–0 |
| 12 | 22–35–1–1–294 | 62.8 | 87.1 | 5–22–0 |
| 13 | 24–31–2–1–282 | 77.4 | 126.0 | 6–12–0 |
| 14 | 14–23–0–1–155 | 60.8 | 62.87 | 4–43–2 |
| 15 | 31–44–2–1–380 | 70.5 | 102.5 | 10–25–0 |
| 16 | 19–21–4–0–256 | 90.5 | 157.0 | 3–22–0 |
| Totals | 340–474– 30–8–4, 4,203 | 71.7 | 112.9 | 95–387–4 |
Week 1: 20–13 loss to L.A. Raiders; Week 2: 33–27 win at Miami; Week 3: 21–14 loss to Pittsburgh; Week 4: 42–13 win over Carolina; Week 5: 23–20 win at Buffalo: Week 6: 26–19 win at New Orleans: Week 7: 31–13 win at Tennessee; Week 8: 32–13 win vs. Cleveland; Week 9: 24–23 win vs. Atlanta; Week 10: 28–23 win at Tampa Bay; Week 11: 27–14 win vs. New York Jets: Week 12: 26–20 win at Cincinnati; Week 13: 33–15 win vs. New York Giants; Week 14: 35–31 loss vs. Buffalo; Week 15: 28–24 win at Baltimore; Week 16: 42–10 win at New York Jets.
Downs’ first score of the year came early in the fourth quarter on a five-yard pass from former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones to the back of the end zone, tying the game with Arizona. The Colts went on to win 31–17.
Downs finished with six catches on seven targets for 42 yards, including an 11-yard reception.
In his second consecutive start, Cardinals running back Michael Carter ran nine times for 34 yards, including an 11-yard gain, and caught two passes on five targets for 30 yards, including a 16-yard reception.
Cedric Gray continued to stack big games, collecting three tackles and nine assists while defending two passes in the Tennessee Titans’ 20–10 road loss to Las Vegas.
Here’s how other Tar Heels fared in Week 6:
— Dallas running back Javonte Williams had 29 yards on 13 carries and caught five passes on eight targets for five yards in the Cowboys’ 30–27 loss at Carolina.
— Jacksonville wide receiver Dyami Brown caught two of five passes targeted to him for 13 yards and had one carry for seven yards.
— Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes, who had 11 total tackles in his first four games, had five tackles and an assist while starting and playing all 57 snaps in Monday’s 24–14 home win over Buffalo.
— Tampa Bay offensive lineman Charlie Heck started in the Bucs’ 30–19 win over San Francisco, and played all 50 offensive snaps in addition to five special-teams snaps.
— Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb started, and had one tackle, one assist and one special-teams tackle.
— Sam Howell didn’t play in the Eagles’ 34–17 loss Thursday to the New York Giants and still hasn’t made his season debut and Buffalo’s Mitch Trubisky didn’t play on Monday.
— Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt, one of three game captains for the game, recorded one assist on punt coverage, with all 23 of his snaps on special teams.
— Miami cornerback Storm Duck missed his fifth consecutive game as he recovers from an ankle injury suffered in Week 1, and Baltimore wide receiver Tez Walker wasn’t active.
— British Brooks, M.J. Stewart and the Houston Texans were off this weekend.
The Los Angeles Chargers placed rookie running back Omarion Hampton on injured reserve on Tuesday with an ankle injury, and he is expected to miss more than four weeks. Through five games, he has 86 touches for 450 yards and two touchdowns, including 66 carries for 314 yards.
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
Season statistics — 1 game, 2 carries, 15 yards (9 longest); 1 tackle on kickoff coverage
Week 6 — Open date
Week 7 — 10 p.m. Monday at Seattle, ESPN
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 6 games, 6 starts, 16 catches, 133 yards (23 longest), 10.9 average, 1 TD; 4 carries, 22 yards (9 longest)
Week 6: Seahawks 20, Jaguars 12 — Started; 2 catches on 5 targets, 13 yards (9 longest); 1 carry, 7 yards; 49 offensive snaps (64%)
Week 7 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Rams in London, NFL Network
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
Season statistics — 3 games, 2 starts, 27 carries, 86 yards (11 longest), 1 touchdown; 7 catches on 10 targets, 52 yards (16 longest)
Week 6: Colts 31, Cardinals 27 — Started; 9 carries, 34 yards (11 longest); 2 catches on 5 targets, 30 yards (16 longest); 32 offensive snaps (44%)
Week 7 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Green Bay, 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 — 6 games, 4 starts, 26 catches, 217 yards (29 longest), 1 touchdown
Week 6: Colts 31, Cardinals 27 — Started; 6 catches on 7 targets, 42 yards (11 longest), 1 touchdown; 30 offensive snaps (51%)
Touchdown — 5-yard pass from Daniel Jones, 13:12 left in the fourth quarter
Week 7 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
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 6: Chargers 29, Dolphins 27 — Inactive for the game (ankle injury)
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 6 games, 6 starts, 30 tackles, 28 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 2 passes defended, 1 quarterback pressure, 2 special-teams tackles
Week 6: Raiders 20, Titans 10 — 3 tackles, 9 assists, 2 passes defended, 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 56 defensive snap (92%), 7 special-teams snaps (30%)
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New England, CBS
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Starting right tackle
Season statistics — 6 games, 1 tackle; 623 offensive snaps, 32 special-teams snaps
Week 6: Bucs 30, 49ers 19 — Started; 50 offensive snaps (100%), 5 special-teams snaps (18%)
Week 7 — 7 p.m. Monday at Detroit, ABC, ESPN
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 — 5 games, 2 start, 9 tackles, 2 assists, 1 forced fumble, 2 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Week 6: Steelers 23, Browns 9 — Started; 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 special-teams tackle; 28 defensive snaps (34%), 6 special-teams snaps (24%)
Week 7 — 8:15 Thursdays vs. Pittsburgh, Prime Video
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 — 6 games, 4 starts, 7 catches, 70 yards (16 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 6: Patriots 25, Saints 19 — 2 catches on 3 targets, 28 yards (16 longest); 35 offensive snaps (55%), 6 special-teams snaps (25%)
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, 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); hasn’t played this season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 6: Giants 34, Eagles 17 — Didn’t play
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts, 7 tackles, 4 assists, 2 passes defended
Week 6: Falcons 24, Bills 14 — 5 tackles, 1 assist; 57 defensive snaps (100%)
Week 7 — 8:20 Sunday at San Francisco, NBC
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 — 6 games, 6 starts, 131 of 179, 1,522 yards (8.5 average), 73.2% 10 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 18 sacks (55 yards in losses), 112.5 passer rating; 36 carries, 138 yards (3.8 average, 20 longest), 2 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 4 fumbles (1 lost)
Week 6: Patriots 25, Saints 19 — Started; 18 of 26, 261 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 140.1 passer rating, 1 sack (3 yards of losses); 9 carries, 28 yards (20 longest); 2-point conversion run; 1 fumble (recovered by Patriots); 64 offensive snaps (100%); 27.24 fantasy points
Scoring plays:
— Pass to the deep left for 53-yards to DeMario Douglas, 1:58 left in first quarter
— Pass to the deep left for 25-yards to Kayshon Boutee
— Pass out of the shotgun to the deep left for 29-yards to Boutee; 2-point conversion run
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, 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
Season statistics — 6 games, 105 offensive snaps, 24 special-teams snaps entering Week 6
Week 6: Patriots 25, Saints 19 — Played off the bench; 4 offensive snaps (7%), 5 special-teams snaps (21%)
Week 7 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Chicago, Fox
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 — 5 games, 1 start, 4 tackles, 3 assist, 1 pass defended, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists
Week 6 — Open date
Week 7 — 10 p.m. Monday at Seattle, ESPN
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 28 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-team middle linebacker
Season statistics — 6 games, 1 tackle, 1 special-teams tackle, 5 special-teams assists
Week 6: Seahawks 20, Jaguars 12 — 1 assist on punt coverage; 23 special-teams snaps (77%)
Week 7 — 10 p.m. Monday vs. Houston, ESPN
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 6: Falcons 24, Bills 14 — Didn’t play
Week 7 — Open date; next game 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Carolina, Fox
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 5 games, 1 start, 3 catches, 60 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 special-teams assist
Week 6: Rams 17, Ravens 3 — Not active for the game
Week 7 — Open date; next game 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, vs. Chicago, 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 — 6 games, 6 starts, 92 carries, 476 yards (66 longest), 5 touchdowns; 11 catches, 83 yards (11 longest), 1 touchdown
Week 6: Panthers 30, Cowboys 27 — 13 carries, 29 yards (6 longest); 5 catches on 8 targets, 5 yards (9 longest); 47 offensive snaps (85%)
Week 7 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, Fox
On injured reserve
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, ankle injury
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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