Drake Maye knows the clock is ticking, and he isn’t waiting for a second chance. The quarterback took a page straight out of Bill Belichick’s playbook after a brutal loss in Seattle. On Monday, Maye told WEEI’s “Rich and Ken with Ted Johnson” that the team is moving on fast. He said, “We’re on to Pittsburgh.” That four-word message cuts through the noise of a disappointing Week 1. It is the only way forward for a team that just lost its top receiver.
The Fourth Quarter Problem
The stats tell a harsh story about how the game ended. Three picks in the final quarter marred Maye’s 23-of-33 passing line of 178 yards and a touchdown. Per Yahoo Sports, he went 6 of 11 with three picks when the game was on the line. His final throw in the end zone was snatched by Josh Jobe, killing a drive that could have tied the game. The Patriots had a 10-0 lead, but Maye’s impatience let the Seahawks take over. He admitted he “lost patience” and made bad choices that cost his team the win.
Even with a high ankle sprain taking A.J. Brown out of action, the offense had to keep moving. Brown caught three passes for 26 yards before leaving in the third quarter. Now Maye faces an always tough Pittsburgh defense that forced two turnovers and four sacks.
Vrabel’s Trust vs. The Reality
Head coach Mike Vrabel isn’t panicking, but he isn’t hiding the truth either. In an interview on “The Greg Hill Show,” Vrabel said the team still trusts Maye implicitly to make great decisions. He noted that you have to know who you are playing when you face third-and-long situations. Too many defenders in the middle prompted the coach to warn against throwing down that area. That is exactly what happened in the fourth quarter against Seattle.
Vrabel confirmed that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels talks to Maye quickly to adjust the plan. This means Maye had help, but he still had to make the final call. The accountability is there, but the results need to match the words. Maye finished 20 of 23 for 134 yards on short throws, but his deep ball was a disaster. All three interceptions came on 10-plus air yard attempts, totaling 3 of 8 for 44 yards.
The Test Is Here
Maye says the ups and downs are part of playing in the National Football League. That attitude is good, but the Steelers won’t give him a free pass. Hosting Pittsburgh at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 20 gives the Patriots additional preparation time. Without Brown, the receiving corps must step up, and Maye must protect the ball. If he can’t fix the fourth-quarter mistakes, the season could slip away fast. The Belichick comparison works only if the team wins the next game.
