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.
Michael Carter, Tennessee Titans running back
Age 27 | 5–8, 201 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string running back
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 48.2 offensive grade, 61.1 pass grade, 25.0 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Josh Downs, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Age 25 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics (Colts) — 9 games, 6 starts, 33 catches, 354 yards (42 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 carry, 7 yards; 2 punt returns, 20 yards; 68.0 offensive grade, 67.5 pass grade, 63.1 run grade, 62.5 run-block grade
Week 9 — Cowboys 27, Colts 23 (home) | started: 3 catches on 6 targets, 26 yards (9 longest); 49 offensive snaps (77%); 51.1 offensive grade, 51.1 pass grade, 59.8 run-block grade
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Atlanta, CBS
Joshua Ezeudu, Kansas City Chiefs tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
Season statistics — 7 games, 1 start, 111 offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps; 66.3 offensive grade, 54.7 pass-blocking grade, 81.8 run-blocking grade
Week 9 — Chiefs 35, Jets 12 (home) | 24 offensive snaps; reported tackle-eligible once; season-high 79.5 offensive grade, 62.7 pass-block grade, season-high 81.8 run-block grade
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Atlanta, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 7 games, 2 starts, 16 tackles, 16 assists, ½ sack; 63.0 defensive grade, 65.0 run grade, 88.3 tackle grade, 51.8 pass-rush grade, 63.2 coverage grade
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 8 games, 6 starts, 102 carries, 369 yards (32 longest), 3.6 average, 3 touchdowns; 11 catches, 63 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 59.8 offensive grade, 47.3 pass game grade, 82.6 pass-block grade, 60.0 run grade
Week 9 — Texans 44, Chargers 22 (home) | started: 13 carries, 60 yards (32 longest), 4.6 average; 29 offensive snaps (40%); 62.5 offensive grade, 32.3 pass grade, 77.2 pass-block grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 10 — 8:15 Monday at Baltimore, ESPN
Charlie Heck, Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman
Age 29 | 6–8, 311 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Reserve; signed Oct. 29 to 53-man roster after Miami waived him during training camp
2025 statistics (Tampa Bay) — 18 games, 1 tackle, 701 offensive snaps, 73 special-teams snaps
Week 9 — Cowboys 27, Colts 23 (home) | not active for game
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Miami, CBS
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 8 games, 4 tackles, 4 assists; 63.6 defensive grade, 56.1 special-teams grade
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 8:20 Sunday at Cincinnati, NBC
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 33 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 5 games, 4 starts, 18 catches, 245 yards (26 longest), 13.6 average, 1 touchdown; 80.4 offensive grade, 78.6 pass grade, 78.8 run-block grade
Week 9 — Packers 45, Patriots 27 (home) | started: 3 catches on 6 targets, 36 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown (22-yard reception, 1:11, third quarter); 43 offensive snaps (68%); 66.7 offensive grade, 78.6 pass grade, 58.8 run-block grade; returned after spending four games on injured reserve with a calf injury
Week 10 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Detroit in Munich, Fox
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 26 | 6–1, 225 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Backup quarterback
2024 season statistics with Seattle (didn’t play last season; hasn’t played this season); didn’t play in 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer grade; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 9 — Cowboys 27, Colts 23 (road) | didn’t play
Week 10 — 4:25 Sunday vs. San Francisco, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 9 games, 6 starts, 24 tackles, 11 assists, 5 passes defended; 52.0 defensive grade, 89.6 run grade, 63.9 tackle grade, 43.1 coverage grade
Week 9 — Bengals 34, Falcons 17 (at Madrid) | didn’t start: 1 tackle, 20 offensive snaps (35%), 12 special-teams snaps (46%); 63.9 defensive grade, 60.0 run-defense grade, season-high 81.2 tackle grade, 63.6 coverage grade
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Kansas City, CBS
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Season statistics — 1 game, 13 special-teams snaps; 46.1 special-teams grade
Week 9 — Jaguars 33, Ravens 10 (road on Thursday) | not active
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, Fox
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
Season statistics — 9 games, 2 starts; 131 offensive snaps, 65 special-teams snaps; 53.4 offensive grade
Week 9 — Giants 19, Eagles 11 (home) | 2 offensive snaps (3%), 6 special-teams snaps (20%); reported tackle-eligible once; 60.0 offensive grade, season-low 47.9 special-teams grade
Week 10 — Open date
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 24 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation — Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 9 games, 9 starts, 178 of 272, 2,282 yards (8.4 average), 18 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 20 sacks (103 yards in losses), 96.8 passer rating; 47 carries, 219 yards, 4.7 average, 3 touchdowns; 6 fumbles (2 lost), 2 fumble recoveries; 79.2 offensive grade, 77.8 pass grade, 67.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 9 — Packers 45, Patriots 27 (home) | started: 21 of 38, 299 yards (36 longest), 3 touchdowns (30-yard pass to Stevenson, 9:23, 2nd quarter; 8-yard pass to Chism, 2:37, 2nd quarter; 22-yard pass to Hollins, 1:11, 3rd quarter), 3 interceptions, 74.3 passer rating; 1 carry, 3 yards; 51 offensive snaps (81%); 59.5 offensive grade, 60.6 pass grade, 56.3 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 10 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Detroit in Munich, Fox
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Starting left tackle
Season statistics — 8 games, 317 offensive snaps, 22 special-teams snaps
Week 9 — Saints 23, Browns 22, OT (home) | 6 special-teams snaps (18%)
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, Fox
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 30 | 5–11, 205 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string safety (activated from PUP list on Oct. 10)
Season statistics — 4 games, 1 start, 12 tackles, 8 assists, 1½ sacks, 1 pass defended; 47.7 defensive grade, 52.3 run defense grade, 51.5 tackle grade, 73.9 pass-rush grade, 46.6 coverage grade
Week 9 — Texans 44, Chargers 22 (road) | didn’t start: 4 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack; 51 defensive snaps (71%), 8 special-teams snaps (24%); 50.2 defensive grade, 69.2 run grade, season-high 80.6 tackle grade, 70.8 pass-rush grade, 44.4 coverage grade.
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, Fox
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 5 games, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist; 64.8 special-teams grade
Week 9 — Seahawks 17, Cardinals 3 (home) | 2 special-teams tackles; 17 special-teams snaps (81%); season-high 75.5 special-teams grade
Week 10 — 4:05 Sunday at Las Vegas, CBS
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 32 | 6–3, 222 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Cam Ward
2025 statistics with Buffalo (hasn’t played this season) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Week 9 — Open date
Week 10 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 7 games, 3 starts, 4 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown
Week 9 — Jaguars 33, Ravens 10 (home) | 15 offensive snaps (27%), 2 special-teams snaps (7%)
Week 10 — 8:15 Monday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, ESPN
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 9 games, 9 starts, 154 carries, 629 yards (4.1 average), 9 touchdowns; 24 catches, 127 yards (17 longest), 5.3 average, 1 touchdown; 2 fumbles; 73.2 offensive grade, 80.1 pass grade, 57.4 pass-block grade, 70.6 run grade, 59.0 run-block grade
Week 9 — Cowboys 27, Colts 23 (road) | started: 20 carries, 101 yards (15 longest), 1 touchdown (1-yard run, 1:08 fourth quarter); 4 catches on 5 targets (13 longest), 23 yards; 57 offensive snaps (72%); 72.7 offensive grade, 76.3 pass grade, 73.4 pass-block grade, 69.1 run grade
Week 10 — 4:25 Sunday vs. San Francisco, 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
— Houston running back British Brooks (hamstring injury)
— Washington wide receiver Dyami Brown (calf injury)
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all 3 preseason games
— 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
Waived
— Cornerback Marcus Allen (with injury settlement) by Minnesota; had 2 tackles, 1 assist in 45 preseason snaps
— Cornerback Storm Duck by Miami
— Linebacker Power Echols by Seattle
— Linebacker Tomon Fox by Los Angeles Rams; had 1 tackle and 13 special-teams tackles in 2 preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and 2 assists in 3preseason games
— 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
