Drake Maye Shines as Patriots’ Surprise Star
In Foxborough, Massachusetts, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has been turning heads. During a recent 32-13 win over the Cleveland Browns, the crowd erupted with chants of “MVP!” after he dashed for a 28-yard run. He then wowed fans with a 39-yard touchdown throw to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
Boutte shared, “I joke with him about the MVP talk, but I truly believe it. He’s been exceptional. He’s doing everything well.” The Patriots, sitting at 6-2, are one of the NFL’s biggest surprises this season, riding a five-game winning streak.
Against the Browns, Maye completed 18 of 24 passes for 282 yards, tossing three touchdowns and only one interception. He also rushed for 50 yards, marking the first time a Patriots quarterback threw for three touchdowns in a quarter since Tom Brady back in December 2018.
As the season unfolds, Maye’s MVP odds have risen, putting him behind football greats like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Recent odds from ESPN BET Sportsbook list Mahomes at +165, followed by Baker Mayfield (+375), Josh Allen (+400), and then Maye at +750.
Veteran tight end Hunter Henry praised Maye’s growth, saying, “Watching him play at this level is exciting.” This season, Maye has achieved a remarkable 75.2% completion rate, ranking second in NFL history for the best start, just behind Drew Brees’ 2018 record. His ability with deep throws has also stood out; he completed 4 of 5 for 135 yards on deep passes during the Browns game and boasts a 75% completion rate on such throws this season— the highest since 2006.
Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins added, “He’s just bringing great energy.” Despite the accolades, Maye stays focused, noting areas for improvement, like scoring more touchdowns in the red zone.
Fans have noticed the shift in team spirit compared to last season’s troubles. Maye remarked, “The crowd has been amazing. It’s incredible to see the difference from last year’s struggles.”
As the season progresses, eyes will be on Maye to see if he can maintain this momentum. If he does, those “MVP” chants may just become a regular feature at Gillette Stadium.
For further insights into MVP rankings and player stats, you can check out ESPN’s comprehensive coverage here.
