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), who became just the 12th team in NFL history to go undefeated (8–0) on the road, clinched their first AFC East title since 2019 when Buffalo lost to Philadelphia on Sunday night.
His QBR of 99.8 was the highest since the metric was first kept in 2006.
“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 | 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 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.
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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.
— Baltimore wide receiver Tez Walker (14 of his 34 snaps on special teams) and Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb (11 special-teams snaps) all had no statistics playing off the bench.
— Tampa Bay offensive lineman Charlie Heck (1 offensive snap, 4 special-teams snaps) and New Orleans offensive lineman Asim Richards (8 offensive snaps, seven special-teams snaps) each played off the bench.
— Philadelphia quarterback Sam Howell, Buffalo quarterback Mitch Trubisky and Jacksonville wide receiver Dyami Brown didn’t play.
— Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes will miss the Falcons’ Monday night game against the Los Angeles Rams with an ankle injury.
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 — 6 games, 2 starts, 9 catches, 94 yards (48 longest); 48.7 offensive grade, 51.2 pass grade, 60.8 run-block grade, 62.9 special-teams grade
Week 6 — 49ers 23, Commanders 17 (road on Monday) | didn’t start: 1 catch on 1 target, 6 yards; 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 33 offensive snaps (49%), 13 special-teams snaps (13%); 50.9 offensive grade, 51.2 pass grade, 60.8 run-block grade, 62.9 special-teams grade; 2.1 fantasy points
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, NBC
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 — 2 games, 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | 3 carries, 7 yards (3 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 7 yards; 16 offensive snaps (25%); 50.5 offensive grade, 68.3 pass grade, 51.3 pass-block grade, 46.1 run grade; 2.4 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, CBS
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 — 7 games, 5 starts, 26 catches, 307 yards (42 longest); 1 carry, 7 yards; 72.2 offensive grade, 71.8 pass grade, 63.1 run grade, 59.1 run-block grade
Week 7 — Vikings 16, Colts 10 (road) | started: 2 catches on 4 targets, 18 yards (13 longest); 1 punt return, fair catch; 52 offensive snaps (85%); 2 special-teams snaps (9%); 66.2 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, 59.1 run-block grade; 3.8 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, 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 — 6 games, 1 start, 87 offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps; 57.3 offensive grade, 56.8 pass-blocking grade, 62.4 run-blocking grade; 61.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (road) | started at right tackle (first start of season, 11th of his career; usual starters Jaylon Moore sidelined with a concussion); 53 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); season-low 51.7 offensive grade, season-low 51.0 pass-block grade, 51.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Denver, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 6 games, 2 starts, 15 tackles, 14 assists, ½ sack; 62.2 defensive grade, 63.7 run grade, 87.6 tackle grade, 52.7 pass-rush grade, 63.4 pass coverage grade
Week 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t start: 2 tackles, 2 assists, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 39 defensive snaps (56%), 17 special-teams snaps (63%); season-low 45.9 defensive grade, season-low 36.9 run defense grade, 77.5 tackle grade, 60.5 coverage grade; 3.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, 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 — 6 games, 4 starts, 80 carries, 289 yards, 3.6 average, 3 touchdowns; 9 catches, 56 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 62.2 offensive grade, 65.2 pass game grade, 80.5 pass-block grade, 60.9 run grade
Week 6 — Chiefs 22, Chargers 6 (road) | started: 7 carries, 18 yards (4 longest); 4 catches on 4 targets, 21 yards (15 longest); 34 offensive snaps (50%); 58.6 offensive grade, 65.9 pass grade, season-high 80.4 pass-block grade, 53.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 7.9 fantasy points
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 4:05 Sunday at Los Angeles Rams, Fox
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 — 7 games, 4 tackles, 4 assists; 63.6 defensive grade, 60.7 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 55.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | 1 assist; forced fumble; 2 defensive snaps (4%), 10 special-teams snaps (53%); season-high 75.7 defensive grade, 64.9 run grade, 71.7 tackle grade; 62.0 special-teams grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cleveland, 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 grade; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (road) | didn’t play
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
Season statistics — 7 games, 6 starts, 22 tackles, 11 assists, 4 passes defended; 49.1 defensive grade, 89.8 run grade, 62.0 tackle grade, 39.6 coverage grade
Week 7 — Falcons 29, 49ers 20 (home) | didn’t start: 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended; 17 defensive snaps (26%), 3 special-teams snaps (13%); season-high 89.4 defensive grade, 60.0 run grade, season-high 80.7 tackle grade, season-high 87.1 coverage grade; 2.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Week 6 (season debut) — Texans 34, Jaguars 31 (in London) | 13 special-teams snaps (45%); 46.1 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Open date
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, CBS
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 — 7 games, 2 starts; 128 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps through Week 6
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (home) | didn’t start
Week 8 — 8:20 Sunday at Washington, NBC
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts, 141 of 214, 1,784 yards (8.3 average), 13 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 13 sacks (59 yards in losses), 96.4 passer grade; 38 carries, 211 yards, 5.6 average, 2 touchdowns; 5 fumbles (2 lost); 79.7 offensive grade, 77.5 pass grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 7 — Bears 30, Patriots 24 (road on Thursday) | started: 24 of 31, 321 yards, 2 sacks (11 yards in losses), 2 TDs (48-yard pass to R. Stevenson as first half ended; 30-yard pass to E. Raridon, 3:46, third quarter), 1 interception, 117.8 passer grade; 4 carries, team-high 26 yards (15 longest), 1 TD (7-yard run, 11:33, second quarter); 54 offensive snaps (100%); 74.8 offensive grade, 73.5 passer grade, 63.4 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade; 28.44 fantasy points
Week 8 — 4:25 Sunday at Miami, 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 — 7 games, 317 offensive snaps, 16 special-teams snaps; 50.9 offensive grade, 49.0 pass-blocking grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 7 — Steelers 16, Saints 10 (Saint-Denis, France) | started: called for false start; 57 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (16%); 55.4 offensive grade, 58.2 pass grade, 59.8 run grade
Week 8 — Open date
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 — 3 games, 1 start, 8 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 pass defended; 49.9 defensive grade, 44.8 run defense grade, 43.9 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade
Week 7 — Giants 27, Texans 21 (home) | started (regular starting safety Reed Blankenship out with a concussion and hand injury): 5 tackles, 7 assists, ½ sack, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended; 63 defensive snaps (95%), 6 special-teams snaps (21%); 50.5 defensive grade, 31.6 run defense grade, 49.1 tackle grade, 69.5 pass-rush grade, 61.2 coverage grade; 10.5 fantasy points
Week 8 — Open date
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 7 — Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3 (home) | not active for fourth consecutive game (calf injury)
Week 8 — 8:15 Monday vs. Chicago, ESPN
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 7 — Browns 27, Titans 24 (home) | didn’t play
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, 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 — 6 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 75 yards (47 longest), 1 touchdown; 54.2 offensive grade, 55.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade, 61.9 special-teams grade
Week 7 — Bengals 35, Ravens 13 (home) | didn’t start: no statistics; 20 offensive snaps (30%), 6 special-teams snaps (24%); 57.5 offensive grade, 53.4 pass grade, 71.4 run-block grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo, 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 — 7 games, 7 starts, 110 carries, 472 yards (4.3 average), 8 touchdowns; 19 catches, 103 yards (17 longest), 5.4 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 77.0 offensive grade, 79.6 pass grade, 60.8 pass-block grade, 75.1 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 7 — Cowboys 38, Eagles 21 (road) | started: 25 carries, career-high 155 yards (6.2 average; 34 longest) 1 touchdown (2-yard run, 2:21, 4th quarter); career-high 88.0 offensive grade (previous high 81.9 at Jacksonville in Week 2 of the 2021 season), 52.1 pass grade, 82.4 pass-block grade, season-high 85.9 run grade, 60.0 run-block grade
Week 8 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Arizona, 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)
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
— New England wide receiver Mack Hollins (calf injury)
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all three 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 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
— Cornerback Storm Duck by Miami
— 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
