It’s now been over a month since the New England Patriots have won a game. As depressing as that is for the fans, there seemed to be a happier and more hopeful aura around the team this week, and rightfully so. Third overall pick, quarterback Drake Maye of North Carolina, made his first career start on Sunday in a 41-21 loss to the Houston Texans. There were plenty of ups and downs in this contest, but it certainly gave a tough season an exciting jolt when it so desperately needed it.
The offense put together its best output of the year with Drake Maye under center, 21 points. Better than past weeks, sure, but far from what’s required to be a contending team. Last year, 21 points a game would have slotted them tied with the Denver Broncos for the No. 20 ranked offense in the league. Their record? An uninspiring 8-9 that led to an offseason quarterback change. The total isn’t what drew eyeballs, though. Drake Maye’s individual stat line was an interesting one: he totaled 281 yards and three touchdowns, excellent work for a debutant. The issue was his turnovers – he was directly involved in three of the team’s four on the day.
A first quarter interception for Maye was a tough look – a severe overthrow intended for Pop Douglas led to seven for the Texans. Maye celebrated his first career touchdown with just 16 seconds left in the first half, a drop in the bucket 40 yards downfield to second year wide out Kayshon Boutte. Down seven at the half, they were very much in the game, at least until the second play of the third quarter. Star pass rusher Danielle Hunter blew by the right tackle, Demontrey Jacobs, to strip Maye inside the Patriots’ 20.
At this point, the game was out of hand, but offensive positivity restarted after a six-yard toss to a wide-open Hunter Henry for Maye’s second score of the game. Turnover woes continued after a batted ball from Maye led to a Calen Bullock interception. Maye fans celebrated in the end, though, with an inbreaking route thrown to Douglas for 35 yards, a touchdown – Douglas’s first in the NFL. It’s hard to fault Maye for the fumble, and I’ll only give him half the blame for the tipped INT. In the end, the one and a half turnovers from the rookie aren’t bad, but it’s not ideal either. These mistakes, paired with an Austin Hooper fumble, put a lot more stress than necessary on the defense.
On to the defense. The last time a Patriots unit allowed 40+ points? Six years ago, to a 23-year-old Patrick Mahomes. Wow. The defense was certainly poor today, but 41 points was also a function of multiple four turnovers that all helped the Texans start in plus territory. They managed an interception in the endzone via Marcus Jones, who couldn’t seem to handle Tank Dell today, who came away with seven catches and a touchdown. Christian Gonzalez also struggled despite strong back-to-back games going into this week; his man Stefon Diggs totaled 77 yards and a score. Run defense was a strong suit of the unit in the first half, but Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce each recorded a 50-yard run in the second half, each key plays in a 192-yard rushing performance from Houston. The unit as a whole didn’t come to play today, a disappointing reality given the exciting (though not clean cut) play on the other side of the ball.
Next week, the Patriots make the trip across the pond for a 9:30am kickoff in London! They’ll play the lowly 1-5 Jaguars, who are staying abroad this week following their weak performance against the Caleb Williams led Bears. Despite the Jaguars looking better on paper, their disappointing start gives me some confidence that New England can pull out a win. I’d predict a two-turnover game from the Jaguars that they take advantage of, 28-14, with the Patriots taking home a win in London.