FOXBORO — It was barely five weeks ago that Drake Maye threw three interceptions all in one quarter at Seattle.
It was just three weeks ago he looked lost at Jacksonville.
Watching Maye play lately, that all might feel like three months ago.
Maye has thrown 10 touchdowns to one interception over the Patriots’ last three games, all wins, including Sunday’s triumph over the Jets. He completed 18 of 32 passes for 235 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the 26-19 win. Maye also posted a 110.8 passer rating and rushed four times for 24 yards.
After the win, Maye explained what’s driven his recent turnaround.
“I think trusting what I see on film, trusting what I’m communicating to guys in the huddle, what we’re doing in the passing game, what we’re trying to get into good run checks, trusting what coach (Josh) McDaniels— our communication and our relationship. And then just trusting what I’m seeing (on the field),” Maye said. I feel like I’m seeing it well and trying to throw it to the open guy.”
Maye has thrived despite facing a steady stream of pressure while working behind a patchwork offensive line. Whereas Maye had previously been wilting under that pressure, he’s taken just two sacks during the Patriots’ winning streak stretch, a reflection of greater patience and willingness to throw the ball away when under duress. Last month, Maye threw an end-zone interception at Jacksonville trying to squeeze a pass to a covered Efton Chism III and forced multiple throws versus the Seahawks, which cost the Patriots the game.
Now, defenses seem to be banking on Maye making a mistake. The Jets, who entered with the NFL’s fourth-highest blitz rate, blitzed at almost half their normal rate in the first half. Instead of sending the house, the Jets dropped up to eight defenders in coverage, as they did on Maye’s first touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs.
Later, Maye calmly worked through his progressions for longer than five seconds before finding a wide-open DeMario Douglas with 14 seconds before halftime. In his post-game press conference, Maye, who has criticized his own lack of patience at times, said he’s done a better job of handling extra space and time in the pocket.
“I always tell my wife, since I got married, I’ve never sat on the couch and watched this much TV. I (grew) up with brothers, and always wanted to be on the move and just be doing something, not just hanging around. So, it’s kind of the same thing in the pocket,” Maye said before later adding: “I feel like when I got time in there the past two weeks, we’ve had two good plays when I’ve sat in there and just kind of kept my eyes downfield.”
Perhaps lucky for Maye, he won’t have to sit and wait around long for the Patriots’ next game, which is scheduled for Thursday night at Chicago.