By R.L. Bynum
It was a perfect example of why Drake Maye should be the NFL MVP — a nearly flawless performance.
Maye made more NFL and New England Patriots history, throwing a career-high five touchdown passes and leading the team to touchdowns on all six of his drives in a 42–10 road thrashing of the New York Jets on Sunday. The Patriots (13–3) became just the 12th team in NFL history to go undefeated (8–0) on the road.
“Coach said unfinished business,” said Maye, who had a season-high 157.0 passer rating and produced 32.33 fantasy points. “You want to go 8 and 0 on the road. Might be something that we thought would be pretty cool in this league; it’s hard to win on the road, and we accomplished that today. Just proud of the guys. We came out here, started fast and didn’t stop from there.”
Maye is the first player:
— in NFL history to complete at least 90% of his passes, throw for at least 250 yards and at least five touchdown passes in a game.
— in NFL history with multiple games in a season with at least 200 passing yards, at least two touchdown passes and completing at least 90% of his passes.
— in franchise history to throw touchdown passes to five receivers in a game.
— to throw five touchdown passes in a game for the Patriots since Tom Brady against Houston on Sept. 24, 1017.
In addition, Maye:
— became the third player in franchise history to throw 30 touchdown passes in a season, joining Brady (seven times) and Babe Parilli (1965).
— because the eighth player under the age of 24 to throw 30 TD passes in a season, joining Justin Herbert (2020–21), Lamar Jackson (2019), Patrick Mahomes (2018), Blake Bortles (2015), Matthew Stafford (2011), Daunte Culpepper (2000) and Dan Marino (1984).
— became the third player in Patriots franchise history with 4,000 passing yards in a season, joining Tom Brady (11 times) and Drew Bledsoe.
— threw for 229 yards and four touchdowns and completed 89.5% of his passes in the first half, the first Patriot to have at least those numbers in a half since 1991.
“I wouldn’t say I’m in conversation with them,” Maye said of Brady and Bledsoe. “Those are probably two best in Patriots history. So, it’s an honor. But whatever it takes to win, I think that’s the most important thing.”
Maye threw touchdown passes of 2 yards to Austin Hooper (10:42, 1st quarter), 22 yards to Rhamondre Stevenson (14:55, 2nd quarter), 3 yards to Stefon Diggs (3:01, 2nd quarter), 13 yards to Hunter Henry (31 seconds left, 2nd quarter) and 10 yards to Efton Chism III (8:17, 3rd quarter).
“I was throwing it pretty good,” Maye said, in a bit of an understatement. “And from there, the guys up front kept on blocking their butts off and give me time to make plays and extend plays and find guys on the field.”
New England coach Mike Vrabel praised his quarterback’s execution.
“They don’t give me a vote [for MVP], but there’s nobody else that we want as our quarterback, or that I want as our quarterback,” Vrabel said. “To be able to do that, and as the plays go through the progression, just throw to the guy that’s open as soon as you work through your progression. And I think he did 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 | 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 was missing a key passing target in wide receiver Mack Hollins, who the Patriots placed on injured reserve Saturday with an abdominal injury after he caught seven passes for 69 yards in Week 16.
In is sixth start of the season, Omarion Hampton produced 60 total yards and a touchdown in the Los Angeles Chargers’ 20–16 home loss Saturday to the Houston Texans.
Hampton had 14 carries for 29 yards and a 5-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run, but the Texans limited his usual ability to gain yards after first contact. But Hampton caught a season-high eight catches on eight targets for 31 yards.
Javonte Williams’ day in the Dallas Cowboys’ 30–23 Christmas Day victory at Washington was cut short in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. In only 25 snaps, he rushed 13 times for 54 yards and a four-yard touchdown run with 12:05 left in the second quarter.
Williams, with career-highs of 252 carries, 1,201 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, has elevated his earnings for the season to $3.5 million by hitting incentives. Given that the Cowboys are eliminated from the playoffs, it’s possible that they won’t play him in their season finale.
Elsewhere among former UNC players in the NFL:
— Tennessee linebacker Cedric Gray had nine tackles, three assists and one tackle for a loss.
— Arizona running back Michael Carter started again, getting seven carries for 29 yards and catching two passes on four targets for 14 yards.
— Jacksonville wide receiver Josh Downs had two catches on five targets for 34 yards, including an 18-yard reception.
— In his second game of the season, after being on injured reserve with a knee injury suffered in Week 1, Minnesota running back Ty Chandler carried seven times for 24 yards and had an assist on punt coverage in 21 total snaps.
— Houston running back British Brooks played 21 of his 24 snaps on special teams. Texans rookie cornerback Alijah Huzzie wasn’t active for the game.
— Jacksonville wide receiver Dyami Brown, Baltimore wide receiver Tez Walker (14 of his 34 snaps on special teams) and Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb all had no statistics playing off the bench.
— Tampa Bay offensive lineman Charlie Heck and New Orleans offensive lineman Asim Richards each played off the bench.
— Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes will miss the Falcons’ Monday night game against the Los Angeles Rams with an ankle injury.
In a late Sunday afternoon game, Sam Howell and Philadelphia played against Mitch Trubisky and Buffalo.
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 —11 games, 4 carries, 15 yards (9 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 4 special-teams assists
Week 17: Texans 20, (at) Chargers 16 — Played 3 offensive snaps (5%), 21 special-teams snaps (72%)
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Indianapolis
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 16 games, 7 starts, 22 catches, 212 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 17: Jaguars 23, (at) Colts 17 — Played off the bench
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Tennessee
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 13 games, 4 starts, 85 carries, 313 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 30 catches on 36 targets, 246 yards (18 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Week 17: Bengals 37, Cardinals 14 — Started; 7 carries, 29 yards (11 longest); 2 catches on 4 targets, 14 yards (8 longest)
Week 18 — Sunday at Los Angeles Rams
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 27 | 5–11, 204 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Second-string kickoff returner; third-string running back
Season statistics — 2 games, 7 carries, 24 yards (5 longest); 1 assist on punt coverage
Week 17: Vikings 23, Lions 10 — 7 carries, 24 yards (5 longest); 1 assist on punt coverage; 13 offensive snaps (24%); 8 special-teams snaps (31%)
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Green Bay
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 — 15 games, 10 starts, 54 catches, 505 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 rush, 3 yards; 6 punt returns, 55 yards; 2 tackle
Week 17: Jaguars 23, Colts 17 — Started; 2 catches on 5 targets, 34 yards (18 longest); 1 punt return, 0 yards; 1 tackle after an interception
Week 18 — Sunday at Houston
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 15 games, 15 starts, 91 tackles, 60 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 17: Saints 34, Titans 26 — Started; 9 tackles, 3 assists, 1 tackle for a loss
Week 18 — Sunday at Jacksonville
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starter
Season 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 17: Texans 20, Chargers 16 — Started; 14 carries, 29 yards (5 longest), 1 touchdown (5-yard run, 2:52, 4th quarter); 8 catches on 8 targets, 31 yards (17 longest); 51 offensive snaps (81%)
Week 18 — Sunday at Denver
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Backup right tackle behind Luke Goedeke
Season statistics — 17 games, 1 tackle; 698 offensive snaps, 63 special-teams snaps entering Week 17
Week 17: Dolphins 20, Bucs 17 — Played off the bench
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Carolina
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 — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Week 17: Browns 13, Steelers 6 — Played off the bench
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Baltimore
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 17 — 4:25 Sunday at Buffalo, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Washington
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 11 games, 11 starts, 32 tackles, 9 assists, 4 passes defended, 2 tackles for losses; 1 interception
Week 17 — Will miss the 8:15 Monday game against the Los Angeles Rams (ESPN) with an ankle injury
Week 18 — Sunday vs. New Orleans
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 24 | 5–10, 195 | rookie season | UNC 2023–24
Season statistics — 2 games, no statistics
Week 17: Texans 20, (at) Chargers 16 — Not active for game
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Indianapolis
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 — 16 games, 16 starts, 340 of 474, 4,203 (72 longest, 8.7 average), 71.7%, 30 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 47 sacks (201 yards in losses, 108.5 passer rating; 98 carries, 409 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 6 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 17: Patriots 42, (at) Jets 10 — 19 of 21 (90.5%), 256 yards (31 longest), 5 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 1 sack (1-yard loss) 157.0 passer rating; 3 carries, 22 yards (11 longest)
Touchdown passes: 2 yards to Austin Hooper (10:42, 1st quarter), 22 yards to Rhamondre Stevenson (14:55, 2nd quarter), 3 yards to Stefon Diggs (3:01, 2nd quarter), 13 yards to Hunter Henry (31 seconds left, 2nd quarter) and 10 yards to Efton Chism III (8:17, 3rd quarter)
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Miami
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 — 14 games, 4 starts, 295 offensive snaps, 42 special-teams snaps entering week 17
Week 17: Saints 34, (at) Titans 26 — Played off the bench
Week 18 — Sunday at Atlanta
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 — 3 games, 3 of 6, 54 yards; 4 carries, 1 yard
Week 17 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. New York Jets
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 10 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 90 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Week 17: Ravens 41, (at) Packers 24 — 20 offensive snaps (26%), 14 special-teams snaps (56%)
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
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 — 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 17 — Started; 13 carries, 54 yards, 1 touchdown (4-yard run, 12:06, 2nd quarter); 0 catches on 2 targets; hurt late in second quarter; 25 offensive snaps (27%); 11.4 fantasy points
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Indianapolis
Out for season
Miami Dolphins defensive back Storm Duck, knee injury (season statistics: 2 games, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended)
Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart, quadriceps injury (season statistics: 9 games, 4 starts, 10 tackles, 8 assists, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists)
On injured reserve
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, knee injury
New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezudu (IR with designation to return), undisclosed injury
New England wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen injury)
Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin, leg injury (Rams released him in camp)
Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt (ankle injury)
On practice squads
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
New England linebacker Amari Gainer
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
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 @Patriots
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