By R.L. Bynum
No matter what numbers Drake Maye puts up, he just keeps winning.
Maye led New England to a 28–16 victory Sunday at Tampa Bay for the 8–2 Patriots’ seventh consecutive win, giving them a 1½-game lead atop the AFC East.
His streak of eight consecutive games with at least 200 yards passing and a passer rating of 100 ended. The streak tied Tom Brady’s as the longest in franchise history and was the longest for a player younger than 24.
Maye finished 16 of 31 for 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. His passer rating of 89.5 was his lowest since an 80.6 in a Week 1 home loss to the Los Angeles Raiders.
The Patriots trailed early before Maye tied it on a 72-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams late in the first quarter — the longest pass of Maye’s career and the longest Patriots touchdown play this season.
“Kyle got out the back door. You know, he’s fast. You’re not gonna catch him,” Maye said. “He only got maybe one target and made it count. Just proud of him for getting in there.”
On the last play of the first half, facing fourth-and-goal at the Bucs’ 1, Maye lofted a pass in the corner of the end zone to Stefon Diggs, who got his toes inbounds for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 14–10 halftime lead.
“Shoot, didn’t get in the first three times,” Maye said. “Stef made a great play. That was a toe tap extraordinaire.”
New England coach Mike Vrabel said that moment was pivotal.
“That was a huge, huge play for us. On fourth down, I’ve got confidence in our guys,” Vrabel said. “I was really excited and proud of Stef and Drake for scoring where we were and being able to end the half with the football in our hands.”
Maye, although only sacked once, took a beating late during a drive in which he connected on a third-and-14 for 56 yards to Hollins, becoming the first Patriot to throw two passes of at least 50 yards since Brady did it in 2017.
Hollins, who came into the game with 16 catches for 208 yards on the season, caught six passes on 10 targets for 106 yards. It was his best game since catching eight passes for 158 yards in a 24-22 loss to the Tennessee Titans in 2022 while playing for the Los Angeles Raiders.
That drive ended with Maye throwing an interception in the end zone on third-and-goal at the Bucs’ 2.
“You gotta be mad at yourself,” Maye said. “But you know that you have a chance either to go on a two-minute drill to win the game, or go in a five-minute scenario to win the game. That’s this league — just bouncing back from it, flipping the page.”
Maye said the win was about grit.
“Just so proud of this team. Every week we’re fighting, some things aren’t going our way. We’re handling adversity. Battle adversity, defense is stepping up,” Maye said.
It’s a quick turnaround for the Patriots, who host the New York Jets at 8:15 Thursday night (Prime Video).
| 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.
Houston safety M.J. Stewart suffered what appeared to be a significant left knee injury with 7:59 left in the first half of the Texans’ 36–29 home win over Jacksonville. He was carted off with his left leg in a cast.
Stewart had started since the Texans released C.J. Gardner-Johnson after Week 3.
Elsewhere around the league:
— Colts wide receiver Josh Downs had one catch on two targets for three yards and two punt returns for 32 yards.
— Bills quarterback Mitch Trubisky played in relief of Josh Allen in a blowout loss at Miami, getting one carry for four yards in three snaps.
— Jacksonville wide receiver Dyami Brown had no catches on one target.
— Tampa Bay offensive lineman Charlie Heck played one offensive snap and three special-teams snaps.
— New Orleans’ Asim Richards started at right tackle. Richards has 137 total snaps going into the game, but played 71 on Sunday.
— Arizona running back Michael Carter had three carries for four yards in eight offensive snaps.
— Seattle’s Chazz Surratt had one tackle on kickoff coverage in 17 snaps, all on special teams.
— Houston running back British Brooks had two offensive snaps and 18 special-teams snaps with no statistics.
— Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes (neck injury), Baltimore wide receiver Tez Walker, Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb and Philadelphia quarterback Sam Howell all were inactive for their games.
Getting the weekend off were Cedric Gray’s Tennessee Titans and Javonte Williams’ Dallas Cowboys.
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — First-string fullback
2025 statistics —13 games, 17 carries, 787 yards (20 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Buffalo, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati, CBS
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
2025 statistics (Jacksonville) — 17 games, 7 starts, 23 catches, 220 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Week 1 — 4:25 Sunday at Philadelphia, Fox
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday at Dallas, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 25 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
2025 statistics — 16 games, 11 starts, 58 catches, 566 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 2 rushes, -2 yards; 7 punt returns, 68 yards; 2 tackles
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Baltimore, CBS
Week 2 — 8:20 Sunday at Kansas City, NBC
Joshua Ezeudu, Kansas City Chiefs tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
2025 statistics — (with New York Giants) Missed the season with a severe calf injury suffered during training camp (played 17 games in 2024)
Week 1 — 8:15 Monday vs. Denver, ESPN
Week 2 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Indianapolis, NBC
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 16 games, 15 starts, 94 tackles, 65 assists, 7 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 statistics — 9 games, 6 starts, 124 carries, 545 yards (54 longest), 4.4 average, 4 touchdowns; 32 catches, 192 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Buffalo, CBS
Week 2 — 4:30 Sunday vs. Las Vegas Raiders, CBS
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
2025 statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Atlanta, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New England, CBS
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 32 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
2025 statistics — 15 games, 47 catches, 550 yards, 12.0 average, 54 longest, 2 touchdowns
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | Started: 4 catches on 5 targets, 51 yards (19 longest); 50 offensive snaps (70%), 8 special-teams snaps (36)
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, CBS
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Backup quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); didn’t play in 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 1 — 8:20 Sunday at New York Giants, NBC
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
2005 season statistics — 12 games, 38 tackles, 11 assists, 1 interception
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Pittsburgh, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, Fox
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
2025 statistics — Didn’t play; went on injured reserve in late August
Week 1 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
2025 statistics — 17 games, 17 starts, 354 of 492, 4,494 (72 longest), 71.9%, 31 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 47 sacks (201 yards in losses), 113.5 rating; 103 carries, 450 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 3 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | started: 23 of 33, 178 yards (19 longest), 178 yards, 1 touchdown (two-yard pass to Eli Raridon), 3 interceptions, 3 sacks (10 yards), 54.9 passer rating; 7 carries, 47 yards (16 longest); 71 offensive snaps (100%)
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, CBS
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
2025 statistics — 15 games, 4 starts, 359 offensive snaps, 53 special-teams snaps
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Detroit, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 11 games, 4 tackles
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | started: 1 tackle on kickoff coverage, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; called for a roughing-the-kicker penalty; 17 special-teams snaps (77%)
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday at Arizona, Fox
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Cam Ward
2025 statistics (Buffalo) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
2025 statistics — 11 games, 2 starts, 6 catches, 136 yards (38 longest), 3 touchdowns; 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 252 carries, 1,201 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 11 touchdowns; 35 catches, 137 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 1 — 8:20 Sunday at New York Giants, NBC
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, Fox
On season-ending injured reserve
— New Orleans running back Ty Chandler; suffered a knee injury in the second preseason game; ran for 45 yards in two preseason games
On injured reserve
— Minnesota cornerback Marcus Allen; had 2 tackles, 1 assist in 45 preseason snaps
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
On PUP list
— Houston safety M.J. Stewart (torn quad), who didn’t play during the preseason
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all three preseason games
— Tennessee running back Michael Carter by Tennessee; had three catches for 20 yards and a 43-yard kickoff return in the last preseason game
— Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
— Minnesota defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie; had four tackles and three assists in 77 total preseason snaps
— Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker; had 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack (6 yards), 2 tackles for losses and 1 quarterback hit in their 41–3 preseason win Friday
Waived in camp
— Linebacker Power Echols by Seattle
— Linebacker Tomon Fox by Los Angeles Rams; had 28 tackles and 13 special-teams tackles in two preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and two assists in three preseason games
— Offensive lineman Charlie Heck by the Miami Dolphins
— Defensive end Smith Vilbert by Minnesota; had one tackle in 47 preseason snaps
Waived with injury designation
— Tight end Bryson Nesbit by Minnesota after collecting 3 catches for 29 yards in two preseason games; had been listed as fifth string
Photo via @Patriots
