New England Patriots
“I imply, y’all see what I see. … I believe Drake’s doing every part they’re doing.”
Regardless of Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s potent go rush doling out loads of injury towards Drake Maye (5 sacks, 5 quarterback hits) on Sunday, the Patriots’ star QB had the final giggle at Gillette Stadium.
Maye nonetheless landed loads of punches towards one of many high defensive models within the NFL on Sunday, with the younger signal-caller finishing 18-of-24 throws for 3 touchdowns, one interception and 332 whole yards of offense.
The Browns’ protection — which entered Week 8 permitting simply 16.1 factors per recreation (the third-lowest mark in the NFL) — was shredded for 32 factors and 422 yards on Sunday, with Maye and Co. producing 16 performs of 10-plus yards within the win.
Throughout a 3rd quarter the place Maye accomplished 6-of-6 passes for 82 yards and three touchdowns, cheers of “MVP! MVP!” began to sprout up throughout Gillette Stadium — particularly after the second-year QB uncorked a 39-yard landing go to Kayshon Boutte.
Maye — who has brushed aside any narrative relating to his MVP candidacy earlier this season — as soon as once more didn’t take the bait on Sunday when requested if he heard these cheers in the course of the third quarter.
“No, I didn’t hear it. The blokes had been making enjoyable of me about my slide again within the huddle on the long term, so I didn’t hear it,” Maye mentioned postgame. “However the followers have been superior all season. It’s been actually cool actually to see the distinction from final yr to this yr. Man, it’s been a journey.
“They’ve been by means of it, and the followers have been by means of it the final couple years. So it’s simply credit score to them. …. I do know the followers have been superior. Like I mentioned, I believe they’re the very best followers within the league, and so they proceed to indicate out each week.”
Even when Maye didn’t wish to delve into any conversations in regards to the MVP race at this stage of the season, Boutte opted to vouch for his QB after yet one more spectacular efficiency on Sunday towards a stout Cleveland protection.
“I believe it feels good to be again at residence — scoring a landing, throwing the ball, after which the MVP chants. I used to be joking with him final week about MVP, too,” Boutte mentioned. “He doesn’t like to listen to it. However, man, I believe it’s the reality.”
As noted by Patriots Wire’s Sophie Weller, Maye at the moment holds the third-best MVP odds on DraftKings at +500 — with solely Patrick Mahomes (+120) and Josh Allen (+360) forward of him by means of eight weeks of recreation motion.
To date this season, Maye has accomplished 75.2 % of his passes for two,026 yards to associate with 15 landing passes and three interceptions. He has additionally rushed for 251 yards off 51 carries to associate with two extra touchdowns.
Past his spectacular stat strains and his function in elevating a rebuilding Patriots roster to first place within the AFC East, Maye can be rewriting the Patriots file books.
In response to the Patriots Communications account on X, Maye has probably the most video games with 200+ passing yards, a 135+ passer ranking and two-plus passing touchdowns in a single season in staff historical past with 5. The earlier file holder? Tom Brady with 4 video games — throughout his MVP season in 2007.
For Boutte, what Maye is already doing each individually and team-wise at this stage of his profession makes a compelling case for some sought-after {hardware}.
“I imply, y’all see what I see,” Boutte mentioned of Maye’s MVP candidacy. “All of us see. For those who look across the league on the different guys, too. I imply, they’re doing nice stuff, too.
“However I imply, I believe Drake’s doing every part they’re doing. [There’s] not [anything] that he’s not doing. I believe on the finish of the day, we’re simply enjoying soccer. We’re having enjoyable with it, too. Simply supporting my guys.”
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