By R.L. Bynum
Drake Maye didn’t have his best day, but it was enough to lead New England to its sixth consecutive victory. His performance was still better than a good day for most NFL quarterbacks.
Titans linebacker Cedric Gray continued his roll with a huge day, and Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught a touchdown pass.
Maye threw an interception and lost a fumble, but also completed 19 of 29 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns as the host Patriots (6–2) slipped past the Atlanta Falcons 24–23.
Maye extended his streak of games with at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating of at least 100 (his rating was 102.5) to eight, tying Tom Brady (2007) for the longest in franchise history and tying the second-longest in NFL history. The streak passes Patrick Mahomes as the longest for a player under 24 years old.
He got the Patriots on the board early, lofting a 17-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to DeMario Douglas with 7:48 left in the first quarter. In the second quarter, he connected with Stefon Diggs on an 11-yard score with 5:17 remaining.
But a Maye turnover kept Atlanta in the game.
With 32 seconds left in the first half, defensive end Jalon Walker punched the ball out of Maye’s hand.
“You know, 21–7, really got a chance to get some more points before halftime,” Maye said. “I’ve got in a bad habit of trying to break tackles on guys I don’t have a great chance of breaking a tackle on.”
James Pearce Jr. scooped it up and returned it to the Patriots’ 6-yard line. Two plays later, Michael Penix Jr. hit Drake London for a touchdown to cut New England’s lead to 20–14 at halftime.
“I’ve got to play better for this team down the road,” Maye said. “It’s tough in a game where you win, and you can feel in that locker room that guys know we can play better. I think it’s a good feeling to have, but also at the same time, it’s tough to win in this league, so you’ve got to enjoy it.”
Late in the third quarter, Jesse Bates III intercepted a Maye pass over the middle. After that turnover, Coach Mike Vrabel approached his quarterback with a clear message.
“I have to play a lot of different personalities and try to figure out what’s best for our football team,” Vrabel said. “I told our offense that we were going to need one drive to win the football game. And it ended up being a five-minute [drive]. So they executed.”
Maye appreciated Vrabel’s approach.
“He’s great at coming up to me, really, after every drive,” Maye said. “He comes over and says something to me, always positive, always wanting me to rally the guys around me. Always challenging me to battle adversity and get the guys going. I appreciate the way he coaches me. He’s hard on me, but he’s very positive, and I think he wants the best out of me. Everything that he says to me, I think it’s going to be important and become true.”
The Patriots’ final drive sealed the win. Facing third-and-five at their own 23 with 1:42 left, Maye hit Hunter Henry for a 17-yard gain to allow New England to run out the clock.
“That was pretty cool,” Maye said. “We didn’t want to make the defense go make another stop for us.”
Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins had two catches on two targets for nine yards.
For Atlanta, Mike Hughes had three tackles and two assists.
| 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 |
| Totals | 290–409– 23–7–3,567 | 70.9 | 109.9 | 85–362–4 |
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
Cedric Gray had another monster game in the Titans’ 27–20 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He had 11 tackles, five assists, a tackle for a loss, a quarterback hit and his first sack of the season for a seven-yard loss.
Downs had a first-quarter punt go off his chest, and Pittsburgh recovered the muff. But the Steelers failed to convert on fourth-and-3 at the Colts’ 4. Downs returned three punts for 23 yards. In the fourth quarter, Downs caught a four-yard touchdown pass from former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones in Pittsburgh’s 27–20 victory.
Downs came off the bench to catch six passes on nine targets for 57 yards.
On Monday night in Arizona’s 27–17 win at Dallas, the Cowboys’ Javonte Williams rushed 15 times for 83 yards while the Cardinals’ Michael Carter didn’t play.
Elsewhere:
— In Houston’s 18–15 loss to Denver, safety M.J. Stewart had three tackles, one assist and defended a pass, while British Brooks had two carries for no yards.
— Jacksonville wide receiver Dyami Brown had three catches on seven targets for 25 yards, one carry for four yards and two kickoff returns for 46 yards.
— Offensive lineman Asim Richards played four snaps for New Orleans.
— Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt had two special-teams assists, playing 16 of his 23 snaps on special teams
— Neither Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb nor Baltimore wide receiver Tez Walker was active for their games and Buffalo quarterback Mitch Trubisky didn’t play.
— On open dates this weekend were Charlie Heck’s Tampa Bay Bucs and Sam Howell’s Philadelphia Eagles.
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 — 4 games, 4 carries, 15 yards (9 longest); 3 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists
Week 9: Broncos 18, Texans 15 — 2 carries, no yards; 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 11 offensive snaps (15%), 23 special-teams snaps (70%)
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, 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 — 8 games, 7 starts, 21 catches, 208 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD; 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Week 9: Jaguars 30, Raiders 29, OT — Started; 3 catches on 7 targets, 25 yards (34 longest); 1 carry, 4 yards; 2 kickoff returns, 46 yards (24 longest); 48 offensive snaps (60%), 4 special-teams snaps (16%)
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Houston, CBS
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 9: Cardinals 27, Cowboys 17 — Didn’t play
Week 10 — 4:05 Sunday at Seattle, 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 — 7 games, 5 starts, 29 catches, 256 yards (29 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 9: Steelers 27, Colts 20 — Didn’t start; 6 catches on 9 targets, 57 yards (17 longest; 9.5 average), 1 touchdown; 3 punt returns, 23 yards (7.7 average; 12 longest), one fair catch, 1 downed, 1 muffed (lost); 52 offensive snaps (67%), 5 special-teams snaps (18%)
Touchdown: 4-yard pass from Daniel Jones, 4:30 left in the fourth quarter
Week 10 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Atlanta in Berlin, NFL Network
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 9 games, 9 starts, 52 tackles, 37 assists, 5 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 2 passes defended, 1 quarterback pressure, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles
Week 9: Chargers 27, Titans 20 — Started; 11 tackles, 5 assists, 1 sack for 7 yards, 1 tackle for a loss, one quarterback hit; 60 defensive snaps (92%), 5 special-teams snaps (17%)
Week 10 — Open date; next game at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, vs. Houston, Fox
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 — 8 games, 1 tackle; 681 offensive snaps, 37 special-teams snaps
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday 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 — 7 games, 3 starts, 16 tackles, 6 assists, 1 forced fumble, 2 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist
Week 9: Steelers 27, Colts 20 — Not active for the game
Week 10 — 8:20 Sunday at Los Angeles Chargers, NBC
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 9: Patriots 23, Falcons 23 — Started; 2 catches on 2 targets, 9 yards (5 longest); 43 offensive snaps (63%)
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, 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 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 8:15 Monday 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 — 7 games, 7 starts, 14 tackles, 8 assists, 3 passes defended
Week 9: Patriots 23, Falcons 23 — Started; 3 tackles, 2 assists; 68 defensive snaps (100%)
Week 10 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis in Berlin, NFL Network
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 — 9 games, 9 starts, 189 of 255 (74.1%), 2,285 yards, 17 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 34 sacks (152 yards in losses); 59 carries, 270 yards (28 longest), 2 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 6 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 9: Patriots 23, Falcons 23 — Started; 19 of 29, 259 yards (58 longest), 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 6 sacks (38 yards in losses), 102.5 passer rating; 8 carries, 20 yards (12 longest); 2 fumbles, 1 lost, 1 recovered; 17.36 fantasy points; 68 offensive snaps (100%)
Scoring plays:
— 17-yard touchdown pass to DeMario Douglas, 7:48 left in the first quarter
— 11-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs, 2:34 left in the second quarter
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, 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 — 9 games, 107 offensive snaps, 30 special-teams snaps
Week 9: Rams 34, Saints 10 — Played 2 offensive snaps (5%) and 2 special-teams snaps (9%)
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Carolina, 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 — 8 games, 3 starts, 10 tackles, 8 assists, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists
Week 9: Broncos 18, Texans 15 — Started; 3 tackles, 1 assist, 1 pass defended; 41 defensive snaps (65%), 8 special-teams snaps (24%)
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, 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 — 8 games, 1 tackle, 3 special-teams tackles, 7 special-teams assists
Week 9: Seahawks 38, Commanders 14 — 2 special-teams assists; 7 defensive snaps (11%), 16 special-teams snaps (67%)
Week 10 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Arizona, 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 — 2 games, 3 of 6, 54 yards; 3 carries, -3 yards (3 kneel-downs)
Week 9 — Didn’t play
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, 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 9: Ravens 28, Dolphins 6 — Not active for the game
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota, Fox
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 — 9 games, 9 starts, 139 carries, 716 yards (5.2 average; 66 longest), 8 touchdowns; 25 catches, 93 yards (3.7 average; 11 longest), 1 touchdown
Week 9: Cardinals 27, Cowboys 17 — Started; 15 carries, 83 yards (5.5 average; 19 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 0 yards; 1 fumble; 1 fumble recovery; 58 offensive snaps (87%); 6.3 fantasy points
Week 10 — Open date; next game 8:15 Monday, Nov. 17, at Las Vegas, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2
Out for season
Miami Dolphins defensive back Storm Duck, knee injury (season statistics: 2 games, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended)
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
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