FOXBORO, Mass. — Drake Maye seems to be in a league of his own. He claims he didn’t notice the crowd chanting “M-V-P!” with wild excitement. Instead, he was busy laughing with teammates about a not-so-great slide he made on the field. But Maye is making the extraordinary feel routine for the Patriots, leading them to impressive wins again.
This past Sunday, many expected his momentum to slow against the Cleveland Browns, who have one of the top defenses in the NFL. Instead, Maye put on a show, completing 18 out of 24 passes for 282 yards and adding 50 rushing yards. He threw three touchdowns and only his first interception in 19 quarters. His skills are a key reason the Patriots sit at 6-2, riding a five-game winning streak—the longest in the NFL.
A month ago, people viewed Maye’s performance as “good for a second-year player.” Now, he’s being talked about alongside the best quarterbacks in the entire league. Experts note that such a swift rise is remarkable for a young player. According to a recent NFL study, only about 30% of quarterbacks improve significantly after their rookie season. Maye appears to be defying those odds.
Wide receiver DeMario Douglas believes there’s no “sophomore slump” for Maye. “I pray that he keeps improving. He could be one of the greats,” Douglas said. Maye’s exceptional qualities—his deep throws, agility, and ability to play under pressure—make it hard to pinpoint which is his best.
This week’s match presented a tough challenge. While the Browns’ offense has struggled, their defense is not to be underestimated. Surprisingly, despite his offensive line facing enormous pressure—including five sacks from star player Myles Garrett—Maye thrived. During the second half, he completed every pass attempt and scored three touchdowns.
Reflecting on his journey, Maye said, “It’s been a journey. The fans have stuck by us through a lot.” Each week brings another impressive stat. He recently became the fifth quarterback ever to record at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating over 100 in seven consecutive games, joining legends like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
He’s also broken records that once belonged to Brady. Maye is the first Patriots quarterback to achieve multiple games with high passing yards and ratings this season.
Safety Jaylinn Hawkins praised Maye, saying, “He’s hooping. I’m proud of him.” However, the Patriots’ easiest games may soon be behind them. Tougher opponents like Atlanta and Tampa Bay are on the horizon.
Maye’s ability to perform under pressure against a tough defense like the Browns shows that he’s ready for the challenge. That’s why the “M-V-P!” chants are well-deserved, and if he keeps this up, they’ll continue to echo in the stands.
In the lead-up to the Cleveland game, his teammate Kayshon Boutte jokingly called him “MVP.” Boutte shared, “He doesn’t like it, but I think it’s the truth.” As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see how far Maye can take the Patriots—and whether he can solidify his place among football’s elite.
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