Category: New England Patriots

Drake Maye’s First NFL Start Shows Promise but Patriots Struggle Against Texans

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Rookie Quarterback Looks Ahead Despite 41-21 Defeat

Drake Maye’s highly anticipated NFL debut provided moments of brilliance, but it wasn’t enough to lift the New England Patriots past the Houston Texans in a 41-21 defeat. The rookie quarterback showed flashes of potential, yet his three turnovers were costly in a game that saw the Patriots fall behind early and struggle to recover.

While Maye highlighted some positives in his post-game comments, he made it clear that winning is the ultimate goal for him and his team.

A Promising Start, but a Tough Loss

Maye’s stat line of 20 completions on 33 attempts for 243 yards and three touchdowns painted a mixed picture. His performance offered glimpses of the skill that made him a highly regarded draft pick, including a standout 40-yard touchdown pass to Kayshon Boutte in the first half. That pass, coming on a go route, showcased his ability to stretch the field—something Patriots quarterbacks have struggled with in recent seasons.

“The Texans played man coverage, and it gave me a chance to make the deep throw,” Maye said. “I feel like with this group, we can push the ball down the field and make plays in the passing game.” However, Maye was also quick to acknowledge that consistency will be key: “I’ve got to make better throws. That’s the bottom line.”

Despite the flashes of potential, Maye’s mistakes proved to be detrimental. His two interceptions and a lost fumble contributed to the Patriots’ inability to build any momentum. Nevertheless, the rookie quarterback didn’t shy away from owning his mistakes, emphasizing the importance of learning from the experience.

Emotional Takeaways and Learning Moments

After the game, Maye expressed his frustration with the loss, underscoring the importance of winning over individual performance. “Most of my friends and family after a loss, they’ll still worry more about the loss than encouraging plays. That’s kind of the people I’m around. We care about winning. Just hate losing,” Maye candidly shared when discussing his emotions following the game.

While the scoreline was lopsided, Maye did find some comfort in the positives. He was particularly satisfied with the Patriots’ two-minute drill toward the end of the first half. Leading the offense on an 84-yard drive in under a minute, Maye looked composed and confident.

“I think the two-minute time is a great opportunity for a quarterback,” Maye explained. “It felt a lot easier in the game than in practice when they’re actually tackling me in the back. I was able to make some plays.”

The Road Ahead

Maye’s debut may not have delivered a win, but it offered the Patriots and their fans a glimpse of his potential. The rookie acknowledged that the team needs to improve in all phases, including “complementary football,” a phrase that resonated during his post-game remarks. “We haven’t done that, and it shows,” he said.

With a long season ahead, Maye’s development will be closely watched. His ability to balance those moments of brilliance with reducing turnovers will be crucial to his growth as the franchise quarterback. For now, though, the rookie is focused on learning from this first start and building toward the future.

Despite the loss, the Patriots may have found something special in their young quarterback. Only time will tell if Maye can live up to the early promise he’s shown, but the potential is clearly there.

 

49ers Aim to Break Losing Streak as Patriots’ Rushing Attack Looms Large

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The San Francisco 49ers, under the guidance of head coach Kyle Shanahan, are not accustomed to playing with a losing record. Despite this unusual position, they have managed to win — and cover the spread — in their last five games under similar circumstances. This Sunday, the 49ers will strive to extend that streak to six, beginning with their performance against the New England Patriots’ offense.

Patriots’ Rushing Attack: A Threat or a Mirage?

The Patriots’ offensive identity heavily revolves around their ground game, though their efficiency leaves much to be desired. As defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen noted, “Well, they can really run the ball.” However, while New England ranks eighth in rushing attempts, they sit at a mediocre 18th in rushing success rate, which measures consistency and efficiency on a play-to-play basis. In terms of rushing EPA (Expected Points Added), a measure of the impact of big plays, the Patriots fare slightly better at 13th. However, neither of these statistics suggests a dominant rushing force.

The 49ers’ defense, currently struggling to stop the run, ranks 25th in rushing success rate allowed and 28th in rushing EPA allowed. Injuries have further complicated matters, with the loss of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and the addition of Jordan Elliott to the injury report. This leaves the 49ers vulnerable up front. However, the Patriots have had their own struggles creating running lanes, ranking 30th in the NFL in yards before contact, a crucial measure of offensive line effectiveness. The upcoming matchup will be a test of strength between two underperforming units.

Tackling the Patriots’ Ground Game

The 49ers’ defense will face a duo of hefty running backs in Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, both of whom are powerful but lack elusiveness. The key for San Francisco will be to avoid giving up early yards and to force the Patriots into passing situations. Scoring early and making New England one-dimensional, as the New York Jets did, will be essential.

San Francisco has been proficient in tackling, with only five missed tackles in the last two games. Maintaining this standard against the Patriots’ running backs on early downs could enable them to control the tempo of the game. The question remains whether the 49ers will adjust their defensive approach, potentially stacking the box more frequently to compensate for their deficiencies at defensive tackle.

Air Attack: A Study in Contrasts

Returning to Levi’s Stadium, the 49ers enter the game as 10.5-point favorites against a Patriots team struggling to generate an effective aerial attack. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett has shown reluctance to throw deep, attempting only five passes over 20 yards this season. In contrast, Brock Purdy, the 49ers’ quarterback, ranks second in the NFL in average throw depth, emphasizing a more aggressive passing strategy.

New England’s passing offense primarily relies on tight end Hunter Henry and wide receiver Demario Douglas, the only two players with double-digit targets. This predictability could play into the hands of the 49ers’ defense, particularly linebacker Fred Warner, who excels in coverage over the middle. If San Francisco can contain these limited passing options, it will further hinder the Patriots’ offensive rhythm.

Pressuring the Patriots’ Pocket

While Brissett’s mobility has allowed him to extend plays, the Patriots’ offensive line has struggled, ranking second-highest in the league for pressure rate allowed. The absence of Hargrave will put additional pressure on Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd to disrupt Brissett in the pocket. Historically, the 49ers have had difficulty containing mobile quarterbacks, but Brissett’s tendency to prioritize passing before scrambling could work in their favor.

The Patriots’ offensive line issues extend beyond technique to health, with several players sporting knee braces and backups forced into starting roles. If the 49ers’ pass rush can exploit these weaknesses, they stand a good chance of neutralizing Brissett’s effectiveness.

The Patriots’ Offensive Woes

New England’s offense has been largely anemic, scoring only 16, 20, and 3 points in their first three games. Even in their most productive game against Seattle, Brissett managed just 149 passing yards, with nearly three-quarters of those going to Henry. Such limited offensive firepower presents an opportunity for the 49ers’ defense to regain confidence and control the game.

For the 49ers, this game represents a crucial chance to correct course early in the season. With the Patriots’ offense struggling to find its footing and the 49ers eager to prove they can still dominate, this matchup could serve as a turning point. San Francisco must capitalize on New England’s vulnerabilities, particularly on the offensive line and in their passing game, to secure a much-needed victory and extend their streak of success when facing adversity.

Jermaine Johnson on IR as Jets Elevate Jalyn Holmes, Call Up McCrary-Ball

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The New York Jets have placed edge rusher Jermaine Johnson on injured reserve after he ruptured his Achilles tendon during the Jets’ 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. Johnson, the No. 26 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was injured late in the third quarter. His absence is a major blow to the team, as the standout player earned a Pro Bowl nod last season with impressive stats, including 7.5 sacks, 55 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, and an interception returned for a touchdown.

As a rookie, Johnson, a product of Florida State, played 14 games and lined up for 312 defensive snaps. He contributed 2.5 sacks during his first season, and his continued development had made him a key part of the Jets’ defensive front.

In response to the injury, the Jets signed defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes from their practice squad to the active roster. Holmes, a 6-foot-5, 283-pound defender, was elevated for Week 1 and Week 2, contributing 4 tackles over 31 snaps. Originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings out of Ohio State in 2018, Holmes spent three seasons with the Vikings before having stints with the Saints and Bears. He joined the Jets last season, appearing in five games and recording five tackles and a quarterback hit. Holmes re-signed with the team in March.

Additionally, the Jets have called up linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball from the practice squad for Thursday’s game against the New England Patriots. McCrary-Ball, a 6-foot, 214-pound linebacker, joined the Jets practice squad after training camp in August. He spent the majority of the 2023 season with the Jets after signing with the team in January. McCrary-Ball previously had two training camp stints with the San Francisco 49ers and joined the Jets midway through the 2023 season. He appeared in two games, taking 19 snaps on special teams.

With these roster moves, the Jets hope to fill the void left by Johnson’s injury and strengthen their defensive unit for their upcoming matchups.