By R.L. Bynum
On a day when Omarion Hampton outdueled fellow former Tar Heels running back Javonte Williams, Drake Maye made more history when his first career 300-yard passing game helped New England rally Sunday night to clinch a playoff berth.
The Patriots trailed by 10 points early in the fourth quarter, but Maye threw one touchdown pass and engineered a second scoring drive in a 28–24 victory Sunday night on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.
Maye moved to 4–0 in prime-time games this season, completing 31 of 44 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns, one interception and a 102.5 passer rating to make him one of the favorites to be the league’s MVP.
According to OptaStats, Maye became the first player in NFL history in a road game to complete at least 30 passes and at least 70% of them while throwing for at least 300 yards and rushing for at least 25 yards while completing a fourth-quarter comeback of at least 10 points.
Maye said the comeback reflected a collective effort.
“So proud of this team. Man, took everybody,” Maye said, adding that the team isn’t satisfied with securing a playoff berth and wants to win the AFC East. “It felt good getting that one.”
Maye threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Henry with 11:22 left in the second quarter. He eclipsed 300 yards for the game with a 37-yard scoring pass to Kyle Williams with 9:07 left in the game. After that play, he connected with Ramondre Stevenson on a two-point conversion pass.
Even with the big numbers, Maye pointed to moments he wanted back, saying there were “plays and times where I feel like I put the team in a bad spot,” but emphasized the importance of responding by “bouncing back and next man up and going out the next drive and trusting your guys around you.”
That late push was unfamiliar territory for a team that has often played with the lead.
“Just being down in the fourth quarter and having a must-need touchdown drive, that feeling is good,” said Maye, who became the first Patriot to throw for at least 300 yards since Mac Jones on Sept. 10, 2023, against the Philadelphia Eagles.
It was New England’s first rally from a fourth-quarter deficit that big since beating Atlanta 34–28 in overtime in Super Bowl LI, giving the Patriots 12 wins for the 14th time in franchise history.
Maye called the Patriots’ 35–31 loss the weekend before to the Buffalo Bills, which ended a 10-game win streak, “a wake-up call,” and summed up the mindset in Baltimore: “Let’s not have that same feeling two weeks in a row.”
Through it all, Maye kept his focus on anything but his impressive numbers.
“I care about winning,” said Maye, who connected four times with Mack Hollins for 38 yards, including a 20-yard reception. “If that’s what it takes, then, hopefully, I’ll do whatever it takes. That’s what I’m trying to do for this team, and I won’t change that.”
| 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.
Maye wasn’t the only former UNC player to make a big play in the game. When the Patriots were trying to pull off a fake punt, Baltimore’s Tez Walker got a sack and forced a fumble.
Walker, who played nine of his 15 snaps on special teams, also had a key block on Zay Flowers’ 18-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Hampton powered the Chargers’ ground game in their 34–17 road victory Sunday, delivering one of his most efficient performances of the season after running back Kimani Vidal left the game with a neck injury.
The rookie carried the ball 16 times for 85 yards and punched in a five-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter as Los Angeles seized control of the game. It was his third consecutive week with double-digit carries and first game with a per-carry average of at least five yards (5.3) since Week 4.
Hampton didn’t start, but his role is growing in his third week back after going on injured reserve in early October with a fractured left ankle. He has 431 rushing yards on 94 carries, with two rushing touchdowns, plus 151 receiving yards and a touchdown reception.
The Chargers bottled up Williams in his limited workload as he had nine carries for 34 yards, although he caught two passes for nine yards. The 43 scrimmage yards were his second-lowest of the season.
Michael Carter started again for Arizona and had another productive game in the Cardinals’ 26–19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Carter had 11 carries for 65 yards, including a season-high 22-yard run, but he had no catches on two targets.
He became Arizona’s starter after the Cardinals placed Bam Knight on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
Elsewhere among UNC alums in the NFL this week:
— Indianapolis wide receiver Josh Downs had five catches on nine targerse for 65 yards.
— Tennessee linebacker Cedric Gray (concussion), Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes (ankle sprain) and New Orleans offensive lineman Asim Richards (ankle injury) weren’t active for their games.
— Tampa Bay offensive lineman Charlie Heck played five of his nine snaps on special teams, reporting tackle-eligible four times.
— Houston’s British Brooks had two tackles on kickoff coverage, playing 20 of his 22 snaps on special teams.
— Pittsburgh’s Cole Holcomb had one assist on kickoff coverage, playing all 15 snaps on special teams.
— Jacksonville wide receiver Dyami Brown (six offensive snaps and one special-teams snap) and Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie (one special-teams snap) played off the bench with no statistics.
— Philadelphia quarterback Sam Howell, who hasn’t played this season, wasn’t active, and Buffalo quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who has only gotten into three games, didn’t play.
— New England signed linebacker Amari Gainer on Wednesday to its practice squad.
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
