FOXBORO — The chants rang out late within the third quarter.
“M-V-P! M-V-P!”
Drake Maye claimed he didn’t hear them after scrambling for 28 yards, his ears stuffed with wisecracks from teammates about how awkwardly he’d slid to finish the play. However there’s no query Maye heard the roar that got here subsequent.
The cheers, simply moments later, that echoed in Gillette Stadium after he lofted a 39-yard landing go to place the Browns away for good.
“The fellows have been making enjoyable of me about my slide again within the huddle on the long term, so I didn’t hear it. However the followers have been superior all season,” Maye stated after Sunday’s 32-13 win. “It’s been actually cool to see the distinction from final yr to this yr. Man, it’s been a journey. They’ve been via it, and the followers have been via it the final couple (of) years. So it’s simply credit score to them.”
Maye completed 16-of-24 for 289 yards, three touchdowns and an interception within the Patriots’ fifth straight win. He additionally rushed for 50 yards and accomplished each go he tried within the second half, because the Pats pulled away from a Cleveland staff that’s struggled on offense all season. Even when the Browns had sufficient firepower to maintain tempo, it won’t have mattered.
Maye threw three touchdowns within the third quarter alone, first discovering tight finish Hunter Henry on a bootleg play-action go, then Stefon Diggs on a slant and Boutte deep down the left sideline within the last minute. Maye will end the month having thrown extra touchdowns to Boutte than incompletions in his course, after finishing three extra passes to the younger receiver on 5 targets.
Maye stated they’d not too long ago labored on the route that yielded their landing in follow.
“He made an incredible, nice transfer on them and (I used to be) simply attempting to provide him an opportunity,” Maye stated. “Thought I overthrew it once more, however he made a pleasant adjustment to it and an incredible catch.”
By eight video games, Maye has accomplished 75.2% of his passes for two,026 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. He ranks among the many league leaders in all main passing classes and stays one of many favorites to win MVP. Historical past says Maye ought to have shot, too.
In keeping with the Patriots, Maye turned the fifth participant in NFL historical past to document 200-plus passing yards and a passer score of 100 or better in seven straight video games, becoming a member of Aaron Rodgers (2020, 2011), Patrick Mahomes (2018), Tom Brady (2007) and Peyton Manning (2004). All 4 quarterbacks have been named MVP in these respective seasons. As of late Sunday, Maye trailed solely Mahomes and Payments quarterback Josh Allen for greatest odds of successful MVP at most sportsbooks.
