FOXBORO — It’s solely been 15 months because the final time the Patriots confronted the Texans, however in the event you ask quarterback Drake Maye, it seems like half a lifetime in the past.
The Patriots’ 41-21 loss to the Texans final season was Maye’s first profession begin. He’s come a great distance from a promising rookie who threw three touchdowns but additionally turned the ball over 3 times in that recreation, to now an MVP candidate getting set to tackle the Texans on Sunday within the divisional round of the playoffs.
“That seems like, shoot, 10 years in the past,” Maye mentioned. “It’s been a protracted journey. So, it’s simply, I’ll take a while, most likely, to simply look again and see what the journey’s been like. I do know it’s exhausting to try this in such a sped-up time within the postseason, the place there are such a lot of belongings you’re making an attempt to do, end and take into consideration.
“However no, simply takes a while to mirror. Working on the market with the primary snap jitters was fairly cool. It was enjoyable to look again on. We’ll hopefully have a unique consequence from the sport, however positively take a while to understand the place we’ve come and the way a lot work we nonetheless must do, particularly myself.”
The Texans had been 7-point favorites in that recreation towards the Patriots in Gillette Stadium. In over a 12 months, the chances have now shifted within the Patriots’ favor as 3-point favorites Sunday towards the Texans at residence.
Maye was requested Wednesday what he noticed from himself on movie in that recreation.
“Totally different schemes, so it’s exhausting to narrate it to now. Some probabilities,” Maye mentioned. “We’d gained some in man protection; we’re going to have to try this once more. They’re actually good in man protection. Stayed forward of the chains, sufficient to get into passing downs. We had an opportunity to return out of the half and had a strip sack. So, simply little issues like that. You’ve bought to maintain your self within the recreation and know that a little bit play like that may flip the tides.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, who helps man maybe the NFL’s greatest protection, has been extraordinarily impressed with Maye’s development this season.
Ryans praised the Patriots’ whole offensive operation, from Josh McDaniels’ playcalling, to the run recreation, however he particularly targeted on Maye.
“I believe Drake is doing a very good job of not making unhealthy choices with the soccer,” Ryans mentioned. “He’s doing a very good job of using the place his gamers are open, he’s getting these guys the soccer, and I believe Josh is looking it very well for him to get him straightforward performs and make good choices.
“The place he’s taking that subsequent step is his means to flee the pocket. It actually doesn’t get talked about a lot, however his athletic means, his means to flee the pocket has been actually clutch for them. He’s made some massive runs to actually damage quite a lot of defenses. So, now we have to take heed to that. He’s making good choices. Good, younger participant, has a very vivid future, can throw the ball in any respect three ranges of the sphere very properly.”
Maye didn’t play his greatest recreation within the wild-card spherical of the playoffs within the Patriots’ 16-3 win over the Chargers, however he got here up clutch when it mattered and was in a position to beat the Chargers together with his legs. He accomplished 17-of-29 passes for 268 yards with one landing and one interception whereas speeding 10 occasions for 66 yards. He additionally fumbled twice and misplaced one.
He’ll must be extra disciplined with the soccer this week towards the Texans.
