FOXBORO — The chants rang out late in the third quarter.
“M-V-P! M-V-P!”
Drake Maye claimed he didn’t hear them after scrambling for 28 yards, his ears full of wisecracks from teammates about how awkwardly he’d slid to end the play. But there’s no question Maye heard the roar that came next.
The cheers, just moments later, that echoed in Gillette Stadium after he lofted a 39-yard touchdown pass to put the Browns away for good.
“The guys were making fun of me about my slide back in the huddle on the long run, so I didn’t hear it. But the fans have been awesome all season,” Maye said after Sunday’s 32-13 win. “It’s been really cool to see the difference from last year to this year. Man, it’s been a journey. They’ve been through it, and the fans have been through it the last couple (of) years. So it’s just credit to them.”
Maye finished 16-of-24 for 289 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the Patriots’ fifth straight win. He also rushed for 50 yards and completed every pass he attempted in the second half, as the Pats pulled away from a Cleveland team that’s struggled on offense all season. Even if the Browns had enough firepower to keep pace, it might not have mattered.
Maye threw three touchdowns in the third quarter alone, first finding tight end Hunter Henry on a bootleg play-action pass, then Stefon Diggs on a slant and Boutte deep down the left sideline in the final minute. Maye will finish the month having thrown more touchdowns to Boutte than incompletions in his direction, after completing three more passes to the young receiver on five targets.
Maye said they had recently worked on the route that yielded their touchdown in practice.
“He made a great, great move on them and (I was) just trying to give him a chance,” Maye said. “Thought I overthrew it again, but he made a nice adjustment to it and a great catch.”
Through eight games, Maye has completed 75.2% of his passes for 2,026 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. He ranks among the league leaders in all major passing categories and remains one of the favorites to win MVP. History says Maye should have a good shot, too.
According to the Patriots, Maye became the fifth player in NFL history to record 200-plus passing yards and a passer rating of 100 or greater in seven straight games, joining Aaron Rodgers (2020, 2011), Patrick Mahomes (2018), Tom Brady (2007) and Peyton Manning (2004). All four quarterbacks were named MVP in those respective seasons. As of late Sunday, Maye trailed only Mahomes and Bills quarterback Josh Allen for best odds of winning MVP at most sportsbooks.