The New England Patriots have rediscovered relevance after a few quiet years. Heading into Week 12 they sit 9-2 and ride an eight-game winning streak. Mike Vrabel’s arrival helped stabilize the franchise, but the biggest reason is second-year quarterback Drake Maye, whose play has sparked New England’s surge.
Maye has carried a heavy load through the early season with a thin receiving corps. He leads the NFL in passing yards (2,836), ranks second in completion percentage (71.9) and quarterback rating (113.2), and sits fourth in touchdown passes with 20. More than stats, Maye’s leadership and focus on wins have kept the Patriots steady through a tough stretch.
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Cam Newton called the Patriots “fool’s gold” on ESPN’s First Take, comparing them to cubic zirconia and questioning their staying power. His remarks suggested New England’s record may not reflect true elite status. The criticism landed in media and drew attention ahead of New England’s matchup with the Bengals.
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Maye’s response to Newton’s criticism
Maye shrugged off Newton’s remarks, telling WEEI Afternoons, “I don’t even know what show he’s on. I think they get paid to make remarks and make certain comments.” Reporters at MASSLive and Boston.com relayed the quote. He added, “I’m just worried about what people in our organization think, and worry about what we think and what my teammates think.”
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The reply was measured, not fiery. Maye noted he grew up admiring Newton in Charlotte, so the bar for such comments is personal, but his focus remains internal. Coach Mike Vrabel echoed the team’s indifference, saying outside chatter won’t change their work.
New England’s schedule has been friendlier than some rivals’, and skeptics point to that. Still, Maye’s numbers and the Patriots’ eight-game streak are hard to ignore. Maye says wins matter most, and he’s approaching each week with a simple aim: keep winning.
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Maye stays grounded, treating each week like a reset and daily practice as a chance to improve more. For now, he’ll let opponents and pundits talk while the Patriots keep playing.
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