EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Your eyes weren’t mendacity whereas watching Patriots quarterback Drake Maye gentle up the Jets in a 42-10 win Sunday afternoon.
Maye was excellent.
Positive, the stats may say that Maye was a mere 19-of-21, throwing two incompletions. However the first incompletion was dropped by rookie extensive receiver Kyle Williams, and the opposite got here when Maye was underneath strain and offloaded the ball to DeMario Douglas.
In any other case, Maye threw for 256 yards and 5 scores and led the Patriots on touchdown-scoring drives in all six of his possessions.
So, what went so proper?
“Coach’s playcalling. Getting guys open, guys working the correct routes, on the prime of the route with the correct really feel for zone. I felt like I used to be throwing it fairly good,” Maye mentioned, humbly. “And from there, the fellows up entrance carry on blocking their butts off and provides me time to make performs and lengthen performs and discover guys down the sector.”
RBSDM.com had him for an ideal 100.0 anticipated QBR. His completion proportion over anticipated was a career-high 29.3%, eclipsing his Week 7 efficiency in opposition to the Titans when he accomplished 24.4 passes over anticipated. Maye’s 1.24 EPA/play was additionally a career-high.
Positive, it got here in opposition to the Jets, who’re 3-13 on the season and enjoying out the string earlier than they inevitably spend one other excessive choose on a quarterback.
However Maye’s CPOE and EPA/play set season highs amongst all NFL QBs this season. NFL Pro beforehand marked Jalen Hurts because the season chief with a 25% CPOE in Week 7. Maye beforehand had a season-high 0.95 EPA per dropback in Week 4 in opposition to the Panthers.
Maye eclipsed each in simply 2.5 quarters of play earlier than giving technique to Joshua Dobbs.
The 23-year-old QB solely helped his MVP probabilities within the win. He entered the sport with the second-best MVP odds behind Rams QB Matthew Stafford, who performs Monday evening in opposition to the Falcons.
“They don’t give me a vote, however there’s no one else that we would like as our quarterback, or that I would like as our quarterback,” head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned of Maye’s MVP candidacy. “So to have the ability to do this and because the performs undergo the development … that is simply throwing to the man that’s open as quickly as you’re employed by way of your development. And I believe he did that, and a few actually good designs, but in addition some nice execution.”
The Professional Bowl QB surpassed 4,000 yards passing and acquired to 30 touchdowns on the season. He’s accomplished an NFL-best 71.7% of his passes.
Maye joined spectacular firm with these numbers. He’s now simply the third Patriots QB in franchise historical past to throw for 30 touchdowns in a season, becoming a member of Tom Brady and Babe Parilli. He’s additionally simply the third QB in franchise historical past to throw for 4,000 yards, becoming a member of Brady and Drew Bledsoe
“I wouldn’t say I’m in competitors with these two,” Maye mentioned about Brady and Bledsoe. “These are in all probability the 2 finest in Patriots. So it’s an honor. So yeah, nevertheless it takes everyone, like we are saying within the offensive room, takes everyone, all 11 each play, and whether or not it’s me throwing for that many yards or 20 yards, no matter takes to win.”
Extra spectacular numbers from Maye: He’s the primary participant in NFL historical past to have a number of video games in a season with 200+ passing yards, 2+ passing touchdowns and a minimum of a 90% completion proportion.
Maye definitely confirmed promise in his rookie season final yr, however he hasn’t simply taken a second-year leap, he’s strapped a jetpack to his again in Yr 2, taking the NFL by storm.
He was, as soon as once more, humble when requested about his enhancements this season.
“I wouldn’t say it’s clicked, simply attempting to organize the identical each week and never change that a part of it. And the fellows round me have been the largest motive, and Coach (Josh) McDaniels and simply taking teaching and take teaching from Coach Vrabel and everyone that form of needs the very best for me. Simply attempting to do what’s finest for me and simply trusting them.”
Maye formally went 3-9 final season, however that included two video games he didn’t end. He’s now led the Patriots to a 12-3 season and established himself shortly as probably the greatest quarterbacks within the NFL.
His aim remains to be the identical because the Patriots enter Week 18: Beat the Dolphins and win the division.
