CINCINNATI — Perhaps expectations have turned outsized 12 weeks into Drake Maye’s second season, but it’s hard not to look at his performance in a [26-20 Patriots win](https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/23/best-and-worst-what-we-learned-from-patriots-26-20-win-over-bengals/) over the Bengals as surprisingly disappointing.
Facing off against the [NFL’s worst defense](https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/22/10-things-were-watching-in-patriots-week-12-matchup-with-bengals/) without two key starters, Sunday should have been the type of game to cement his MVP candidacy. Instead, he came out spraying the ball and began the game 3-of-7 with an interception that Bengals safety Geno Stone returned for an interception.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said nothing was limiting Maye on the afternoon.
“Not his best performance. But give (the Bengals) credit,” Vrabel said. “I think he came up big with some good throws, and I’m sure there were a couple that he would like to have back.”
Maye has been one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the NFL this season and came into Week 12 leading the league in completion percentage. He finished Sunday’s win 22-of-35 for a career-high 294 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
He acknowledged some of his struggles.
“Sometimes not trusting — just have to let it go,” Maye said. “That’s when I’m throwing it best and on time and feeling the best. Yeah, I know. I wasn’t very accurate early on, but found a groove. Just head back to the basics.”
It was just Maye’s sixth interception of the season. When the Patriots got the ball back after the pick-six, Maye led his team on a touchdown-scoring drive, hitting tight end Hunter Henry for a 28-yard touchdown.
Maye said after the game that after an interception, he just needs to make another live throw to feel fine.
The Patriots didn’t get back into the end zone for the rest of the game, settling for four field goals.
“That’s what this league is about, battling adversity. I gave them one early in the game and just battled back on the next drive,” Maye said. “Just trying to have a ‘next play’ mentality. That’s what Coach (Vrabel) is preaching all the time, battling back from good plays and battling back from bad plays.”
Maye is currently still listed second in NFL MVP odds behind Matthew Stafford. He’s led the Patriots to a 10-2 record and nine straight wins now.