By R.L. Bynum
Drake Maye turned a shaky start to the season into one of the best back-to-back stretches by a Patriots quarterback in years on the day that Willie Lampkin made history.
In his third NFL season, Maye threw four touchdown passes and ran for another in New England’s 45–17 home win Sunday over the Las Vegas Raiders.
After throwing three touchdown passes in a 29–26 victory at Buffalo on Oct. 4, Maye produced the first back-to-back games with at least three passing touchdowns by a Patriots quarterback since Tom Brady in 2018.
The two-game surge comes after a difficult opening stretch, but Maye said the improvement reflects the work being done throughout the week rather than a sudden change in his confidence.
“I think it’s just really just an example of practice execution showing up in the game,” Maye said (read the complete transcript of his press conference here). “I think that’s the biggest thing that I can maybe hint at is guys in practice that are treating the walkthroughs and times when we’re even in the reps we have in full speed and making them count.”
Maye completed 26 of 34 passes for 374 yards (49 longest) without an interception, finishing with a 150.9 passer rating and a season-high 92.7 Pro Football Focus offensive grade. He was sacked once for a 3-yard loss and added seven rushes for 25 yards (10 longest), including a 3-yard touchdown run with 3:10 left in the third quarter. His 39.46 fantasy points were the most of a former Tar Heel this season.
Maye opened the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown pass to DeMario Douglas with 11:23 left in the first quarter, then found tight end Hunter Henry from 11 yards out with 24 seconds left in the first half. Kyle Williams, one of the backups the Patriots leaned on at receiver, caught a 34-yard scoring pass with 12:58 left in the third quarter, and Maye added an an 8-yard touchdown pass to Douglas with 6:06 left in the game.
The turnaround began in Buffalo, where Maye outdueled Josh Allen after throwing one touchdown pass against six interceptions through the Patriots’ 1–2 start.
He completed 22 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns that day, ran for 54 yards, and earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, his second such honor.
Against the Raiders, the Patriots (3–2) never trailed, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives and posting 536 yards of total offense and the most points in a game Maye has started. They did it despite injuries that forced backups into prominent roles at cornerback, receiver and along the offensive line.
Maye was without Mack Hollins, who went on injured reserve with a calf injury.
Maye saw the performance as an example of the identity Coach Mike Vrabel has tried to establish, with players stepping in when their numbers are called.
“I’m just proud of these guys for stepping up,” Maye said. “I mean, offense, defense, overall as a football team, I think we talk about identity with Coach Vrabel. I mean, that’s a Coach Vrabel football team of stepping up, being ready to take advantage of your opportunity.”
Maye also credited offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for putting the Patriots in position to make plays. The quarterback said the offense was executing at a high level but still had room to improve, pointing to a fumble and a missed opportunity to connect with Romeo Doubs on a red-zone fade.
“It was beautiful to be a part of today,” Maye said. “He was clicking on all cylinders, making us look good, and we were executing.”
The Patriots responded to their fumble by getting a defensive stop before scoring again, an example of the complementary football Maye said has helped fuel their recent progress. He also praised the offense’s ability to adjust when injuries forced players into different roles and formations.
New England’s ability to make explosive plays has been particularly encouraging after a slow start to the season. Maye said the offense took advantage of most of its opportunities against Las Vegas, though he said it could have produced even more big plays.
“We’ve got to hit them when we get the chance to, and we hit most of them [Sunday],” Maye said. “We still have some that I think we could’ve even had some more explosives.”
Protection played a large role as well, with the Patriots holding Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby to one tackle and two quarterback hits. Maye credited his offensive line for the time he had on the 35-yard touchdown to Douglas.
“Part of it in the first touchdown to Pop, I’m back there — credit the offensive line. Eating a ham sandwich, so I’ve got all day back there,” Maye said.
Maye’s confidence has grown alongside the offense’s production, but he said it hasn’t depended on any single breakthrough. Instead, he pointed to the team’s practice and preparation, especially the importance of making walkthroughs and limited full-speed reps count.
“I’m going to be confident going into every game,” Maye said. “I’m confident in the guys around me, confident in myself.”
He also took satisfaction in seeing teammates rewarded for their work. He singled out rookie offensive lineman Caleb Lomu for stepping in and Douglas for making plays after consistently running good routes throughout the season.
“I think that’s one of the best things about my position is able to spread the wealth and see other guys succeed,” Maye said. “It’s beautiful to watch.”
Maye also pointed to Vrabel’s willingness to go for it on fourth down as an important part of the Patriots’ offensive identity. The approach gives the offense more flexibility on third down, he said, because the players know they may have another opportunity to convert.
“It gives me and Coach McDaniels some extra room to operate and be on the same page with the call and trying to get us some fourth-and-manageable,” Maye said. “And I think we keep on proving him right. We’ve got to keep on doing that to earn his trust and keep his trust.”
The Patriots will try to carry that momentum into Sunday’s 1 p.m. (CBS) division home game against the New York Jets.
Lampkin makes history in London
Lampkin became the Eagles’ shortest offensive line starter in 69 years on Sunday, making his first career start at left guard in Philadelphia’s 19–17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
The 5–11, 290-pound Lampkin is the first Eagles lineman of that height to start since Abe Gibron, also 5–11, started 12 games at left guard in 1957. He already held a place in the record book as the heaviest offensive lineman under six feet in NFL history, a mark previously held by Terry Long (5–11, 272), who played 105 games for the Steelers from 1984 through 1991.
His path to the starting lineup was unusual even for an undrafted free agent. Lampkin was a first-team All-American and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s top offensive lineman at UNC in 2024, yet he went undrafted because of his size.
The Rams waived him with an injury designation, the Eagles claimed him, and he spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve before making the 53-man roster this season. He had played two offensive snaps through Week 4.
His chance arrived after Lane Johnson retired and Cam Jurgens was traded to Baltimore, with Lampkin starting and playing 62 offensive snaps.
Lampkin’s signature moment came in the second quarter, at the end of a 13-play, 64-yard drive that took 7:27. On Will Shipley’s 2-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 7–7, Lampkin locked up Jaguars defensive tackle Matt Dickerson and helped create a lane on the left side, joined by a block from E.J. Jenkins. Shipley walked in untouched for the first rushing touchdown of his regular-season career.
It was the best stretch for an Eagles running game that finished with only 22 yards after Shipley left in the first half with an injury. Lampkin said Wednesday that he had spent the wait preparing for exactly this chance. “I was always ready, just waiting for an opportunity, blessed,” Lampkin said.
Jacksonville won on a 57-yard Cam Little field goal as time expired, after Philadelphia had taken a late lead on a 48-yard Jake Elliott field goal with eight seconds left.
Elsewhere around the league
—Javonte Williams scored on a 1-yard run early in Dallas’ 24–16 Thursday loss to Tampa Bay. He finished with 12 carries for 45 yards, including a 21-yard gain, and 2 catches on 3 targets for 17 yards (9 longest), playing 51 offensive snaps (85%).
— Omarion Hampton had 14 carries for 33 yards (11 longest) and 1 catch for 6 yards in the Los Angeles Chargers’ 23–17 home loss to Denver.
—Josh Downs caught three passes on six targets for 47 yards, including a 42-yard catch (above) early in the second quarter of Indianapolis’ 34–22 loss at Pittsburgh.
—Linebacker Cedric Gray had 2 tackles, 4 assists and a ½ sack off the bench, with a season-high 75.6 defensive grade, in Tennessee’s 26–3 home loss to Houston. Running back Michael Carter was inactive for the Titans.
—Dyami Brown came off the bench to catch 1 pass on 2 targets for 2 yards and lost a fumble that Washington recovered in a 27–27 overtime tie with the Giants.
—Asim Richards started at left tackle and played 42 snaps in New Orleans’ 23–13 loss to Minnesota, with a season-high 57.3 pass-block grade.
— Cole Holcomb had 1 tackle on kickoff coverage in Pittsburgh’s 34–22 win over Indianapolis.
—Inactive for Week 5 were Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt (calf injury) and Jacksonville cornerback Alijah Huzzie, whom the Jaguars signed off Houston’s practice squad last week.
—Neither Cowboys’ Sam Howell nor the Titans’ Mitch Trubisky, both backup quarterbacks, have played a regular-season down through five weeks.
—On Sunday night, Mike Hughes and Atlanta hosted Baltimore and Tez Walker.
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 — 5 games, 2 starts, 8 catches, 88 yards (48 longest); 47.5 offensive rating, 50.3 pass game rating, 37.1 run-blocking rating
Week 5 — Commanders 27, Giants 27, OT (home) | didn’t start: 1 catch on 2 targets, 2 yards, 1 fumble (recovered); 1.2 fantasy points; 37.2 offensive grade, 37.5 pass-game grade, 62. 8 run-block grade
Week 6 — 8:15 Monday at San Francisco, ESPN
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 — Elevated from practice squad for Week 4, but didn’t didn’t play
Week 5 — Texans 26, Titans 3 (home) | inactive for the game
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
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 — 5 games, 3 starts, 20 catches, 249 yards (42 longest); 75.4 offensive grade, 75.3 pass-game grade, 65.9 run-block grade
Week 5 — Steelers 34, Colts 22 (road) | started: 3 catches on 6 targets, 47 yards (42 longest); 1.2 fantasy points; 63.9 offensive grade, 61.8 pass game grade; season-high 79.4 run-block grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, Fox
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 6 special-teams snaps
Week 5 — Open date
Week 6 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
Season statistics — 4 games, 2 starts, 11 tackles, 11 assists, ½ sack; 71.1 defensive grade, 78.0 run grade, 57.9 pass-rush grade, 61.3 pass coverage grade
Week 5 — Texans 26, Titans 3 (home) | didn’t start: 2 tackles, 4 assists, ½ sack; 5.0 fantasy points; season-high 75.6 defensive grade, 73.9 run grade, 79.0 tackle grade, season-high 63.4 pass-rush grade, season-high 65.7 pass coverage grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, 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 — 5 games, 4 starts, 73 carries, 271 yards, 3.7 average, 3 touchdowns; 5 catches, 35 yards (18 longest); 2 fumbles (2 lost); 63.9 offensive grade, 66.1 pass game grade, 76.7 pass-block grade, 61.6 run grade
Week 5 — Broncos 23, Chargers 17 (home) | started: 14 carries, 33 yards (11 longest); 1 catch on 1 target, 6 yards; 4.9 fantasy points; season-high 68.0 offensive grade, season-high 88.9 pass grade, 74.4 pass-block grade, 62.9 run grade
Week 6 — 4:25 Sunday at Kansas City, 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 — 5 games, 4 tackles (all solo), 3 assists; 58.5 defensive grade, 54.9 run grade, 30.9 tackle grade, 56.0 pass-rush grade, 66.0 coverage grade
Week 5 — Steelers 34, Colts 22 (home) | 1 tackle on kickoff coverage; 64.0 defensive grade, 60.0 run grade, 69.0 pass-rush grade, 61.7 pass coverage grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tampa Bay, 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 5 — Buccaneers 24, Cowboys 16 (Thursday at home) | didn’t play
Week 6 — 8:20 Sunday at Green Bay, NBC
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; 51.5 defensive grade
Week 4 — Falcons 45, Saints 24 (Monday) | 3 tackles (1 for a loss), 1 assist, 1 pass defended; 48 defensive snaps (65%); season-high 72.4 defensive grade, season-high 78.8 run-defense grade, 76.8 tackle grade; season-high 68.8 coverage grade
Week 5 — 8:30 Sunday vs. Baltimore, NBC
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Chicago, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Reserve
Season statistics — Was on Houston Texans’ practice squad before Jags signed him Monday
Week 5 — Jaguars 19, Eagles 17 (in London) | Inactive for game
Week 6 — 8:20 Sunday at Green Bay, NBC
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 — 5 games, 1 start; 2 offensive snaps, 19 special-teams snaps through Week 4
Week 5 — Jaguars 19, Eagles 17 (in London) | started: key block on Will Shipley touchdown run
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, CBS
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts, 99 of 151, 1,228 yards, 8 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 11 sacks (48 yards in losses), 89.0 passer rating; 30 carries, 161 yards, 5.4 average; 5 fumbles (2 lost); 70.0 offensive grade, 66.2 pass grade, 65.4 run grade
Week 5 — Patriots 45, Raiders 17 (home) | started: 26 of 34, 374 yards (49 longest), 4 touchdowns (35-yard TD pass to DeMario Douglas, 11:23 left in first quarter; 11-yard pass to Hunter Henry, 24 seconds left in first half; 34-yard TD pass to Kyle Williams, 12:58 left in third quarter; 8-yard pass to Douglas, 6:06 left in fourth quarter), 1 sack (3-yard loss), 150.9 passer rating; 7 rushes, 25 yards (10 longest), 1 touchdown (3-yard run, 3:10 left, third quarter); season-high 92.7 offensive grade, season-high 92.2 pass-game grade, 65.4 run grade; 39.46 fantasy points
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, 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 — 5 games, 218 offensive snaps, 14 special-teams snaps; 47.8 offensive grade, 46.0 pass-blocking grade, 49.4 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — Vikings 23, Saints 13 | started; 42 snaps; 58.8 offensive grade, season-high 57.3 pass-block grade, 57.2 run-block grade
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Giants, Fox
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 5 — 49ers 32, Seahawks 29 (home) | not active for game (calf injury)
Week 6 — 8:15 Thursday at Denver, Prime Video
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 5 — Texans 26, Titans 3 (home) | didn’t play
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, 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 — 3 games, 0 starts, 2 catches, 66 yards (47 longest); 56.5 offensive grade, 57.9 pass game grade, 64.3 run-blocking grade
Week 4 — Ravens 24, Titans 18 | didn’t start: 1 catch on 2 targets, 19 yards; 44 offensive snaps (69%), 5 special-teams snaps (19%); season-low 47.4 offensive grade, season-low 52.7 pass game grade, season-low 45.1 run-blocking grade
Week 5 — 8:30 Sunday at Atlanta, NBC
Week 6 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, Fox
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts, 74 carries, 276 yards (3.7 average), 6 touchdowns; 17 catches, 94 yards (17 longest), 5.5 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble (recovered); 69.5 offensive rating, 84.0 pass game rating, 60.1 pass-block rating, 63.2 run rating
Week 5 — Buccaneers 24, Cowboys 16 (Thursday at home) | started: 12 carries, 45 yards (21 longest), 1 touchdown (1-yard run, 10:51 left in the first quarter); 2 catches on 3 targets, 17 yards (9 longest); 51 offensive snaps (85%); 14.2 fantasy points; 63.8 offensive grade, 67.8 pass-game grade, 52.8 pass-block grade, 63.2 run-game grade
Week 6 — 8:20 Sunday at Green Bay, NBC
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 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
— 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
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