Drake Maye has seven turnovers to just one touchdown in the New England Patriots' worrying start to the season, while being embarrassed by the Jacksonville Jaguars in their second defeat of the year
Drake Maye struggled for the third straight game this season
Drake Maye struggled for the third straight game this season(Image: Patriots)
View 2 Images
Drake Maye has conceded that he needs to get out of his own way while owning up to his poor start to the season for the New England Patriots.
Maye struggled for the third straight game of the season, after poor showings against the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers — losing the first game before winning the second after a strong defensive performance.
The quarterback, who finished second in the MVP race last season, has now thrown just one touchdown to six interceptions, as well as another fumble, in their first three games. He ranks as one of the worst quarterbacks in the league by the majority of metrics. The Patriots have a rough schedule in the coming weeks, with Maye admitting he must be better for the team to contend this season.
READ MORE: Baker Mayfield injury update issued after agonizing screams heard on FOX
READ MORE: 49ers fans go wild with substation theory after fresh injury crisis dampens win over Cardinals
Maye said: "I think it's disappointing. I think the ball starts rolling like that, and we can't get out of our own way, and can't get out of my own way personally.
"I gotta look myself in the mirror and take this as a turning point.
"You know, it's Week 3, but at the same time, we gotta have some fuel and realize that what we're doing out there offensively is unacceptable. It's been unacceptable for three weeks."
Maye was sacked three times in the game, with their offensive line continuing to struggle as it had throughout last year.
Drake Maye has just one touchdown in three games, while having six interceptions
Drake Maye has just one touchdown in three games, while having six interceptions(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
And for the first time, Maye appeared to point the finger toward their protection issues, while stating he wasn't hesitating as a passer and defended his performance to an extent.
He said: "I didn't think I was hesitating much. I think we hit some plays and there (were) definitely some plays we wish we had back.
"Like I said, that's every week. I wouldn't say I was hesitant or tucking it early or kind of scrambling out of the pocket early.
"I felt like the guys up front are battling hard and we gotta do some things for myself to move the chains."
The Patriots' run game has struggled alongside Maye as a passer, with neither running back, TreVeyon Henderson nor Rhamondre Stevenson, averaging over 3.2 yards per attempt.
The team faces the red-hot Buffalo Bills and MVP favorite Josh Allen next week, who come into the game with a 3-0 record.
Another loss would drop the Patriots to 1-3, putting them in a tough position to make the postseason with a tough run of games over the next two months.