By R.L. Bynum
Drake Maye didn’t just manage the game Thursday night. He commanded it, and the Gillette Stadium crowd let him know it.
The second-year quarterback walked off the field after another efficient performance, and chants of “MVP” echoed through the stands after he led the New England Patriots to a 27–14 victory to extend their win streak to eight.
Maye smiled when asked about it and tried first to suggest the chants were for running back TreVeyon Henderson.
“Our fans have been great with me since I got here, as soon as I got drafted,” Maye said. “I just appreciate them for embracing me, just trying to embrace this city and give these fans, this team and [my all], just leave it all out there and give them everything I got.”
Maye gave them plenty to cheer about, completing 25 of 34 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown as the Patriots improved to 9–2 and extended their AFC East lead to two games.
On a short week, Maye said the focus was simple.
“I think just a quick turnaround, the goal these Thursday nights [is] just to come out with the win. And that’s what happened,” Maye said. “Things we would look back on … didn’t have much time to prepare for. Some things that I could look back at myself and wish I had plays back. But just proud of these guys for the effort, the win.”
The Patriots’ lone passing touchdown came midway through the third quarter when Maye found Henderson on a 6-yard swing route to make it 20–7. Henderson scored three times in the game, and Maye praised his backfield mate.
“Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke,” Maye said. “I think just him stepping up. I think it’s a big time for him stepping up, and it’s been great for him to get all these reps. He wants to be great. He’s just showing up every day and asking questions and getting out here.”
Maye spread the ball around, connecting with veterans like Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry in key moments.
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“That trust was built up, probably when I was in middle school, when he was playing in the league,” Maye said of Diggs. “It was long ago. Guys like him and Hunter and Mack [Hollins], you trust those guys for what they’ve done in this league. And I just try to give them chances.”
Hollins had four catches on five targets for 64 yards, including a 20-yard reception.
Maye’s poise stood out again, even when plays didn’t go as planned. Having a short memory about those sorts of plays is important.
“That’s huge,” Maye said. “I think that’s what we’re trying to build. Having short memories in this league as a quarterback, that’s what it is. You’re gonna get sacked. You’re gonna have plays that you want back.”
Maye’s accuracy and ball placement were evident on several third-down conversions, including a strike to Diggs in the fourth quarter.
“In the zone, you try to see where defenders are at,” Maye said. “I’ve got the best view of throwing to them, so try to put it on the right shoulder. There are times tonight where I feel like I did that, and there were some times where it needs to be better.”
The Patriots now turn their attention to a Week 12 matchup on Nov. 23 at Cincinnati as they continue their push toward the playoffs. For Maye, the formula remains the same.
“When you put the work in, and we’ve got good players and good coaches, you’re going to get a result that you want,” Maye said.
| 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.
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Third-string running back
Season statistics —2 games, no statistics; 47.2 special-teams grade
Week 3 — Colts 19, Texans 17 | didn’t start: no statistics; 12 special-teams snaps (50%); 59.2 special-teams grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Dallas, Fox
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
Season statistics — 3 games, 4 catches, 21 yards (18 longest); 41.5 offensive grade
Week 3 — Commanders 33, Seahawks 31 | didn’t start: 0 catches on 1 target; 21 offensive snaps (30%), 5 special-teams snaps (15%); 41.5 offensive grade
Week 4 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis in London, NFL Network
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 25 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 3 games, 14 catches, 186 yards (25 longest), 13.3 average; 85.0 offensive grade
Week 3 — Colts 19, Texans 17 | started: 5 catches on 11 targets, 77 yards (24 longest); 48 offensive snaps (68%)12.7 fantasy points; 82.1 offensive grade
Week 4 — 9:30 a.m. Sunday vs. Washington in London, NFL Network
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 — 4 offensive snaps and 2 special-teams snaps; 60.0 special-teams grade
Week 3 — Chiefs 24, Dolphins 10 | didn’t start; 1 offensive snap (2%)
Week 4 — 4:25 Sunday at Las Vegas, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 2 games, 6 tackles (5 solo), 5 assists; 65.0 defensive grade; 63.8 special-teams grade
Week 3 — Giants 12, Titans 7 | started: 2 tackles, 4 assists; 1 special-teams tackle; 5.0 fantasy points; 30 defensive snaps (47%), 14 special-teams snaps (61%); 71.4 defensive grade; 67.0 special-teams grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, CBS
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 — 3 games, 50 carries, 193 yards, 3.9 average, 2 touchdowns; 2 catches, 21 yards, 10.5 average; 2 fumbles (both lost); 59.8 offensive grade
Week 3 — Bills 24, Chargers 16 | started: 15 carries, 56 yards (10 longest); 0 catches on 1 target; 29 offensive snaps (42%)5.6 fantasy points; 52.8 offensive grade
Week 4 — 4:25 Sunday at Seattle, 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 — 3 games, 2 tackles (both solo), 1 assist; 65.0 special-teams grade
Week 3 — Steelers 30, Bengals 27 | 1 tackle; 4 defensive snaps (6%), 15 special-teams snaps (54%); 67.7 special-teams grade
Week 4 — 8:15 Thursday at Cleveland, Prime Video
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
Season statistics — 3 games, 12 catches, 156 yards (21 longest), 13.0 average; 78.3 offensive grade
Week 3 — Jaguars 35, Patriots 6 | started: 6 catches on 9 targets, 87 yards (21 longest), 14.5 average; 48 offensive snaps (70%), 7 special-teams snaps (30%); 14.7 fantasy points; 84.4 offensive grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, CBS
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth 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 rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 3 — Ravens 34, Cowboys 31 | didn’t play
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Houston, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 3 games, 11 tackles, 4 assists, 2 passes defended; 47.2 defensive grade
Week 3 — Falcons 35, Packers 14 | started: 6 tackles, 1 assist; 56 defensive snaps (85%); 56 defensive snaps (85%); 43.2 defensive grade; 6.5 fantasy points
Week 4 — 8:15 Monday at New Orleans, ESPN
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 — 2 games, 8 special-teams snaps
Week 3 — 8:15 Monday at Chicago, ESPN
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Rams, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 3 games, 51 of 80, 585 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 interceptions, 9 sacks (38 yards in losses); 15 carries, 82 yards; 2 fumbles (1 lost); 41.2 offensive grade, 36.6 passing grade
Week 3 — Jaguars 35, Patriots 6 | started: 14 of 25, 199 yards (38 longest), 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 3 sacks (11 yards in losses), 48.6 passer rating; 4 carries, 18 yards (9 longest); 2 fumbles (1 lost); 51 offensive snaps (81%); 6.76 fantasy points; 29.5 offensive grade, 28.1passing grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, 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
Season statistics — 102 offensive snaps, 9 special-teams snaps; 58.9 offensive grade
Week 1 — Lions 31, Saints 30 | didn’t start: played 5 special-teams snaps (15%); 60.3 PFF special-teams grade
Week 2 — Saints 24, Ravens 17 | didn’t start: played 28 offensive snaps (41%), 4 special-teams snaps (17%); 54.9 PFF offensive grade; 60.3 PFF special-teams grade
Week 3 — Raiders 35, Saints 27 | started; 74 offensive snaps (100%); 64.1 offensive grade
Week 4 — 8:15 Monday vs. Atlanta, ESPN
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 3 games, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist; 52.6 special-teams grade
Week 3 — Commanders 33, Seahawks 31 | didn’t start; 23 special-teams snaps (68%); 64.0 special-teams grade
Week 4 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
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 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 3 — Giants 12, Titans 7 | Didn’t play
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 2 games, 1 catch, 47 yards; 67.0 offensive grade
Week 3 — Ravens 34, Cowboys 31 | didn’t start: 0 catches on 1 target; 17 snaps (27%), 14 special-teams snaps (47%); 60.1 offensive grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 3 games, 43 carries, 169 yards (3.9 average), 2 touchdowns; 10 catches, 56 yards (17 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 72.3 offensive grade
Week 3 — Ravens 34, Cowboys 31 | started: 19 carries, 98 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown (2-yard run, 4:32 left in the first quarter); 2 catches on 3 targets, 5 yards (3 longest); 1 fumble (recovered); 18.3 fantasy points; 56 snaps (76%); 52.1 offensive grade
Week 4 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Houston, 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
— 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; estimated return Oct. 11
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
— Cornerback Marcus Allen (with injury settlement) by Minnesota; had 2 tackles, 1 assist in 45 preseason snaps
— 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
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