How Drake Maye has rebounded from bad start despite mounting Patriots injuries
Drake Maye followed six interceptions in three games with seven touchdowns and one pick over two games, including a 45-17 win over the Raiders, as Patriots injuries pile up.
Why Drake Maye is trending
Drake Maye's name is climbing Google search because of a sharp turnaround. The Patriots quarterback opened 2026 with one touchdown and six interceptions over his first three games, got sacked nine times, and carried a Total QBR of 49. Over the past two games he has completed 67.6 percent of his passes, thrown seven touchdowns against one interception, and been sacked only twice. That shift, paired with Sunday's 45-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, is what's pulling the traffic.
What's known is in the box score and the postgame quotes from teammates and coaches, all cited below. What isn't established yet is whether the form holds against a tougher defense than Las Vegas put up, since the sample is two games. The next test comes this Sunday, when the Patriots (3-2) host the New York Jets (2-3) at home. That game has not been played.
The numbers behind it
Maye posted a 96.0 Total QBR against the Raiders, a season high and the third best of his career. He became the first player in the league this season to post a QBR of 90 or better in back to back games. The deep ball did a lot of the work. On throws 15 or more yards downfield, Maye went 6 of 9 for 182 yards and two touchdowns, tying for the second most such completions of his career in a single game. That's a reversal from the Patriots' first four games, when he completed 43.8 percent of those deep throws with one total touchdown.
Linebacker Robert Spillane said Maye's "confidence is obviously back" on the sideline. Coach Mike Vrabel handed Maye the game ball in each of the past two wins, including the road win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. Maye credited better protection from the offensive line, saying he had time to "eat a ham sandwich" in the pocket before his first touchdown pass against Las Vegas.
Doing it short-handed
The rebound is happening while the Patriots are banged up at receiver, running back, fullback and offensive line. A.J. Brown (ankle) and Mack Hollins (calf) are out, which pushed DeMario "Pop" Douglas and Kyle Williams into bigger roles. Douglas caught four passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders, and Williams had three catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Caleb Lomu started at left tackle for the injured Will Campbell, and Maye said he took satisfaction in watching him and the other reserves hold up.
Douglas said of Maye, "That's our leader," crediting how he carried himself through the slow start without getting down on himself. Maye said there's still "juice left to squeeze" from the offense, pointing out the unit hasn't yet played a full game without a turnover.
What hasn't happened yet
None of the above changes what's ahead. The Patriots host the Jets this coming Sunday, and that game has not been played. New England may also need more from backup running back Corey Kiner given the injuries at that position. Beyond the facts listed here, nothing is confirmed about how the offense performs past this week.
Facts per ESPN, ESPN box score. Opinion is the taproom's.