New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye drew criticism from fans following the team's season-opening 10-point loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday night. The Patriots surrendered a 10-0 lead in the fourth quarter, with Maye's performance marked by three interceptions, including one on the final play of the game.
Maye's struggles in the opener come after a postseason in which he turned the ball over eight times in four games. In the loss to Seattle, his downfield passing was notably ineffective, with most completions occurring at or near the line of scrimmage. The Patriots' offensive game plan reportedly focused heavily on running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who carried the ball 18 times for an average of 2.7 yards per carry.
The performance has led some fans and observers to point to a troubling trend, particularly given the Patriots' relatively easy schedule in the previous regular season. Maye completed only 1 of 6 passes thrown 15 yards or more downfield, and three of those attempts resulted in interceptions.
The Patriots' offense failed to gain momentum throughout the game. Maye underthrew A.J. Brown on a flea-flicker in the second quarter, an incompletion that preceded Brown sustaining an injury. The team's inability to hold onto its lead against Drew Lock and the Seahawks drew a swift reaction on social media.
While acknowledging that the first game of the season can often feature unusual occurrences, the upcoming schedule presents a significant challenge for Maye and the Patriots, with games against the Steelers, Jaguars, and Bills in the following weeks. The article suggests that while Maye may ultimately be fine, his early-season performance warrants monitoring.