Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has been sacked 34 times, including 12 over the past two weeks.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has been sacked 34 times, including 12 over the past two weeks.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
TAMPA ―The Patriots flew to Tampa Bay Saturday ahead of their Sunday showdown against the 6-2 Buccaneers.
Here are three things to watch for …
1. Will Drake Maye take fewer sacks?
Only rookie quarterback Cam Ward has taken more sacks than Maye this season.
Maye has been sacked 34 times (four fewer than Ward), including 12 over the past two weeks. Of the 34 sacks, seven have come on plays where Maye runs out of bounds or scrambles but doesn’t reach the line of scrimmage. Twelve have come on plays where he appears responsible for the sack, either by stepping or running into a tackle.
“A lot of the sacks I have taken have been my fault, holding the football,” Maye said. “Just trying to stand in there as long as I can to try and find guys open. That’s what I’m going to do and try to continue to do, extend plays when I can.”
When it comes to trying to reduce the number of sacks Maye takes, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels called the solution “complicated.”
“None of us want to go backwards,” McDaniels said. “Least of all, him. But I think we’re trying to thread a fine line here of making those plays off-schedule ― which everyone loves, including me ― and then doing something where we hang on to it a little longer than maybe we could, and then incur a negative play or a turnover, which we don’t want.
“Generally speaking, I think our pass protection has been pretty sound. And I also think [Drake’s] made some really good plays with his legs and extended some things and made some good pass plays by extending the play. I don’t think we want to over-coach that and take that away from him, which we’re not doing. I think, as a young player who’s going to continue to learn, hopefully he will eventually find that real sweet spot.”
Tampa’s defense ranks fourth in the NFL in blitz rate, so Maye could be under pressure often this Sunday. Maye’s numbers against the blitz have been elite ― he ranks second in the league in completion percentage and third in passer rating ― but the loss of wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) may affect his ability to find an outlet.
2. How will absences affect both teams?
The Patriots will be without Boutte, running back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe), and linebacker Christian Elliss (hip), while the Buccaneers will not have wide receivers Chris Godwin (fibula) and Mike Evans (clavicle), running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder), and outside linebackers Hassan Reddick (ankle/knee) and Markees Watts (hand).
Rookie Kyle Williams will likely see more snaps with Boutte sidelined, but it’s unlikely he will immediately be able to recreate the incredible downfield chemistry Boutte has with Maye. DeMario Douglas, who led the team in receiving yards last week, could see an increased role as well, though his contested catch ability is not as strong as Boutte’s.
At running back, TreVeyon Henderson will take on the bulk of the carries for the second straight week. Pass protection has remained an issue for Henderson, so he may have his hands full given Tampa’s defensive tendencies. The Patriots temporarily elevated veteran D’Ernest Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster, so he will be another option along with Terrell Jennings.
On the other side of the ball, the loss of Evans allows cornerback Christian Gonzalez to match up against rookie Emeka Egbuka. After a hot start to the season, Egbuka has caught just nine passes on 25 targets for 117 yards and no touchdowns over his past three games. Gonzalez will be a much tougher challenge to beat than Carlton Davis or Marcus Jones.
3. Will the Patriots run defense extend their streak?
The Patriots have yet to allow an opposing rusher to eclipse 50 yards this season. Irving being sidelined improves their odds that they can keep it up. The Buccaneers will instead rely on Rachaad White, who is averaging 3.7 yards per carry this season. Since Irving has been out, White has rushed for more than 50 yards once (65 yards in Week 6 against San Francisco).
If the run defense extends its streak, the Patriots will match an NFL record set by the Buccaneers in 2020. That season, Tampa Bay held all opposing rushers to fewer than 50 yards in 10 straight games.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.