By R.L. Bynum
You might be able to slow down Drake Maye for one half. But with the way he’s playing, even the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL can’t do it for an entire game.
After the Cleveland Browns kept Maye from producing a touchdown in the first half, he threw three touchdown passes in the third quarter as the New England Patriots (6–2) turned a two-point halftime lead into a blowout on their way to a 32–13 home win on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, Javonte Williams scored two touchdowns and Josh Downs scored one.
Maye threw his first interception since Week 3 and only his third of the season, but was 18 of 24 for 282 yards and a 135.8 passer rating while running for 50 yards. He’s thrown for at least two touchdowns for three consecutive games and six times this season.
Maye, who now leads the league with a 118.7 passer rating for the season, was 8 of 8 for 114 yards and three touchdowns with a 158.3 passer rating in the second half.
Maye became the:
— Fifth player in NFL history to throw for at least 200 yards with a passer rating of at least 100 in seven consecutive games, joining Aaron Rodgers (2020, 2011), Patrick Mahomes (2018), Tom Brady (2007) and Peyton Manning (2004).
— Second player in Patriots history to throw for at least 250 yards, rush for at least 50 yards and throw at least three touchdowns in a game. Matt Cassel is the other quarterback to pull off that feat, and that was 17 years ago.
Facing the Browns’ defense created some adversity for Maye in the first half, including linebacker Carson Schwesinger intercepting a pass early in the second quarter.
“Just bouncing back. I threw an early interception and we talked about all week [about that] they strive on their defense, getting their offense in good positions,” Maye said. “Looking downfield, and I forgot the guy in front of me could jump, so he picked it, but nice play by him.”
He credited offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for the second-half surge, saying he had a calm demeanor at halftime talking to the offense.
“Just classic Coach McDaniels drive,” Maye said. “He’s just dialing it up … getting guys open and really making it easy for me.”
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett didn’t make it easy for Maye. Garrett was responsible for five of the six times Maye was sacked.
“They’re a good defense. They’re good up front. They get after the passer,” Maye said. “And I’m gonna have to do a better job of getting the ball out and knowing what mode I’m in to get it out.”
That was the most times Maye has been sacked since Pittsburgh sacked him five times during the Pats’ 21–14 Week 3 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was the most sacks by one player against the Patriots in franchise history and the most in Browns history.
On a touchdown drive in the third quarter, Maye connected with Mack Hollins on a 19-yard pass play on a double-pass. After catching only nine passes in the first seven weeks of the season, Hollins caught all seven passes targeted to him Sunday for 89 yards, including a 21-yard play.
Three plays later, Maye threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Henry.
After an interception from the Patriots’ defense, Maye connected with Stefon Diggs for a one-yard touchdown pass, his first TD reception as a Patriot.
“We’ve been joking about him the other day that Kayshon [Boutte] had more touchdowns than Stef did,” Maye said. “So finally, Stef got in there and got one. So it was cool.”
Maye made it a rout by lofting a pass over the shoulder of Boutte on the left side at the goal line for a 39-yard touchdown pass with 59 seconds left in the third quarter.
“We worked on that side during the week, so we just kept with that side,” Maye said. “He made a great move on him, and was just trying to give him a chance. Thought I overthrew it again, but he made a nice adjustment and a great catch.”
The fans noticed his performance, chanting “MVP” after Maye ripped off a long run, but he laughed it off.
“No, I didn’t hear it,” he said. “The guys were making fun of me about my slide back in the huddle on the long run … but the fans have been awesome all season. Really cool to really see the difference from last year to this year.”
| 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.
Playing against his former team, Javonte Williams scored on two 1-yard touchdown runs, one in the second quarter and one at the beginning of the fourth quarter in the Dallas Cowboys’ 44–24 loss at Denver. It was his third career two-touchdown game and the second this season.
Williams finished with 41 yards on 13 carries, including a nine-yard run.
Josh Downs caught all three passes targeted to him for 39-yard and a 10-yard touchdown reception on a pass from former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones early in the fourth quarter of the Indianapolis Colts’ 38–14 win home win over the Tennessee Titans.
For the Titans, linebacker Cedric Gray had four tackles, one assist and a tackle for a loss.
Although running back British Brooks started for Houston in the Texans’ 26–15 home win over San Francisco, he didn’t get any carries, notching two special-teams tackles and one special-teams assist. Seventeen of his 28 snaps were on special teams.
But Brooks got plenty of attention for a terrific pancake block on a trap play to open a hole for running back Woody Marks on a 14-yard run late in the third quarter.
Houston teammate M.J. Stewart started at safety and had two tackles and two assists.
Elsewhere on Week 8:
— With the Buffalo Bills blowing out the Carolina Panthers 40–9, Mitch Trubisky relieved Josh Allen for the second time this season, playing 11 snaps. He only threw two passes in that first game, but was 2 for 4 for 22 yards against the Panthers.
— Playing for the first time since Week 1 after recovering from an ankle injury, Miami defensive back Storm Duck played off the bench. But he suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter, was unable to put any weight on the leg and was carted off the field. Monday, he was ruled out for the season.
— Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes had four tackles and two assists.
— Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb came off the bench to record three tackles and one assist.
— Tampa Bay’s Charlie Heck started at right tackle, playing all 58 offensive snaps and five special-teams snaps, and New Orleans offensive lineman Asim Richards played one special-teams snap in the Bucs’ 23–3 victory
— Neither Philadelphia quarterback Sam Howell nor Baltimore wide receiver Tez Walker was active for their games.
Off this weekend were Dyami Brown’s Jacksonville Jaguars, Michael Carter’s Arizona Cardinals and Chazz Surratt’s Seattle Seahawks.
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 — 3 games, 2 carries, 15 yards (9 longest); 3 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Week 8: Texans 26, 49ers 15 — Started; 2 special-teams tackles and 1 special-teams assist; had big pancake block on a 14-yard run by running back Woody Marks
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Denver, Fox
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 7 games, 6 starts, 18 catches, 183 yards (39 longest), 10.1 average, 1 TD; 4 carries, 22 yards (9 longest); 2 kickoff returns, 60 yards (31 longest)
Week 8 — Open date
Week 9 — 4:05 Sunday at Las Vegas, Fox
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 — 4 games, 2 starts, 34 carries, 97 yards (11 longest), 1 touchdown; 9 catches on 12 targets, 77 yards (16 longest)
Week 8 — Open date
Week 9 — 8:15 Monday at Dallas, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2
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 8 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Tennessee, CBS
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Pittsburgh, CBS
Storm Duck, Miami Dolphins cornerback
Age 24 | 6–0, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 2 games, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended
Week 8: Dolphins 34, Falcons 10 — Played off the bench, but suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field.
Week 9 — 8:15 Thursday vs Baltimore, Prime Video
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts, 37 tackles, 31 assists, 3 tackles for losses, 2 passes defended, 1 quarterback pressure, 2 special-teams tackles
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Indianapolis, CBS
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 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 entering Week 7
Week 8 — 4:05 Sunday at New Orleans, Fox
Week 9 — Open date; next game at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, vs. New England, 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 — 6 games, 3 starts, 13 tackles, 5 assists, 1 forced fumble, 2 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Week 8 — 8:30 Sunday vs. Green Bay, NBC
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, 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 — 8 games, 6 starts, 16 catches, 208 yards (27 longest), 2 touchdowns; 1 carry, 4 yards
Week 8: Patriots 32, Browns 13 — Started; 7 catches on 7 targets, 89 yards, 12.7 average (21 longest)
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Atlanta, 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 8: Eagles 38, Giants 20 — Not active for the game
Week 9 — Open date; next game at 8:15 Monday, Nov. 10, at Green Bay
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 6 games, 6 starts, 11 tackles, 6 assists, 3 passes defended
Week 8: Dolphins 34, Falcons 10 — Started; 4 tackles, 2 assists, 1 pass defended; called for defensive pass interference
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New England, 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 — 8 games, 8 starts, 170 of 226, 2,026 yards, 15 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 28 sacks (114 yards in losses); 51 carries, 250 yards (28 longest), 2 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 4 fumbles (1 lost)
Week 8: Patriots 32, Browns 13 — Started; 18 of 24, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 282 yards (44 longest), 6 sacks (37 yards in losses), 135.8 passer rating; 7 carries, 50 yards (28 longest), 7.5 average; 27.28 fantasy points
Scoring plays, all in third quarter:
— 7-yard pass to Hunter Henry, 9:10 left
— 1-yard pass to Stefon Diggs, 6:43 left
— 39-yard pass to Kayshon Boutee, 9:10 left
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Atlanta, 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 — 8 games, 105 offensive snaps, 27 special-teams snaps
Week 8 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Tampa Bay, Fox
Week 9 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Rams, 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 — 7 games, 2 starts, 7 tackles, 7 assist, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists
Week 8: Texans 26, 49ers 15 — Started; 2 tackles, 2 assists
Week 9 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Denver, Fox
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 28 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-team middle linebacker
Season statistics — 7 games, 1 tackle, 3 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Week 8 — Open date
Week 9 — 8:20 Sunday at Washington, NBC
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 — 2 games, 3 of 6, 54 yards; 3 carries, -3 yards (3 kneel-downs)
Week 8: Bills 40, Panthers 9 — 2 for 4, 22 yards (14 longest), 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
Week 9 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Kansas City, 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 — 5 games, 1 start, 3 catches, 60 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 special-teams assist
Week 8: Ravens 30, Bears 16 — Not active for the game
Week 9 — 8:15 Thursday at Miami, Prime Video
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 — 7 games, 7 starts, 111 carries, 592 yards (66 longest), 6 touchdowns; 11 catches, 85 yards (11 longest), 1 touchdown
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Denver, CBS
Week 9 — 8:15 Monday vs. Arizona, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2
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 @PatriotsComms
tarheeltribune.com 