FOXBORO — Sunday night’s playoff matchup against the Chargers was never going to be easy for Drake Maye, but it was still surprising to see the Patriots quarterback and MVP candidate start slow in the 16-3 wild-card round win.
It could have been a very long night for Maye against a Chargers defense that’s dangerous in all facets. On his first four dropbacks, he was 1-of-3 with an interception (on a tipped pass) and a sack. He later lost a fumble inside the red zone midway through the third quarter, but he also came through in the clutch late in his first playoff appearance.
“We got to take care of the football,” head coach Mike Vrabel said when asked about Maye’s performance. “Thought he came through when we needed him. The tipped pass is something that was unfortunate. That turned into an interception. But the throw to Hunter I thought when we needed him was elite.”
Maye still had the full-throated support of the Gillette Stadium faithful, who chanted MVP every chance they got as he completed 17-of-29 passes for 268 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also led the Patriots in rushing with seven rushing attempts for 69 yards before three kneeldowns in victory formation.
The 23-year-old QB was his normal, humble self after the first postseason win of his career. He began his press conference praising the defense and saying he “didn’t throw very well.”
“Just got to be better, whether it’s accuracy or ball placement or little things, making decisions faster,” Maye said. “Held onto the ball a little bit tonight. Finally got one in the end. I missed Hoop (tight end Austin Hooper) on a touchdown. Feel like I missed Pop (wide receiver DeMario Douglas) on a third down low. It wasn’t my best tonight. But that’s why you have teammates, those guys picked me up. Never lost confidence. Was still slinging it around. Kayshon (Boutte) made some big plays. Came after the ball twice on some big plays. “That’s the thing about us, we spread it around, we can do a lot of things.”
Maye also isn’t going to dwell on his struggles. Overall, Maye was one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks this season, but not every game, half or moment was perfect, and he always showed the ability to bounce back, just like he did in Sunday night’s win.
Maye disagreed with the notion that his nerves had to settle going into a playoff performance.
“No, I wouldn’t say that. First (completion) to Stef (Diggs), that’s right where I wanted to put it. Picked up the first down,” Maye said. “Had the one to Hunter over the middle that I tried to protect from the safety. Probably need to throw, fire it in there a little more. From there, high-pressure throws. Critical plays, I just have to make them. I like my chances of making ’em. I’m not going to think too much about it, move on to next week.”
Next week will feature either the Steelers or Texans in Gillette Stadium on Sunday at either 3 pm or 6:30 pm ET. The Steelers and Texans play Monday night at 8 pm The winner travels to Foxboro to take on Maye.
The Texans are one team that outplayed the Chargers’ defense this season. The Steelers are an easier matchup on paper, although the Patriots lost to them in Week 3 while turning the ball over five times.
No matter who the Patriots play next Sunday, Vrabel would like to see better ball security from his squad.
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