‘We’re not tough’: What Drake Maye said after the Patriots’ loss in London
New England suffered a 32-16 defeat at the hands of Jacksonville on Sunday.
With quarterback Drake Maye making his second NFL start, the Patriots started hot against the Jaguars but fell apart after the first quarter, suffering their sixth straight loss with a 32-16 defeat at the hands of Jacksonville.
New England jumped out to a 10-point lead after capping its second drive with a 41-yard field goal from Joey Slye, but Jacksonville rattled off 25 unanswered points to put New England’s early ambitions to rest.
Maye said a fast start was in offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s game plan, but the team needs to figure out how to sustain that momentum.
“Other than one or two games this season we haven’t started fast in a while, so that was something new for us,” Maye said. “Proud of the guys for starting fast. Maybe if we punch another one in it’s a different ball game.”
The Patriots made a charge for the end zone on the second drive of the game but couldn’t punch it in.
“I had some chances down in the red zone on that second drive that I wish I had back, but other than that I think what coach Mayo’s preaching is we’ve got to be able to run the football,” Maye said.
Mayo told the media after the game that his team looked “soft,” and Maye agreed.
“We’re not tough,” Maye said. “[Mayo] always preaches being tough. He preached it today. Being tough is running the football, stopping the run, and covering kicks. I think he does a great job of relaying that message to us. And I think the guys know.”
New England struggled to create anything on the ground again, with just 38 yards rushing on the day, 18 of which came from Maye scrambles.
Still, Maye was encouraged by his performance. Maye finished his second NFL start 26 of 37 for 276 yards, with two touchdown passes and no turnovers.
“I feel like I’m seeing it well, making a few different throws,” Maye said. “Other than that I think I can do a better job on the sideline sometimes pumping guys up or relaying messages on the sideline. … I thought we had some bright spots today but not good enough.”
Maye eclipsed 240 yards passing for the second straight game and said his confidence grows as he gets more reps.
“More and more you’re out there you’re seeing different things, different fronts, different coverages, and getting a better feel,” Maye said. “I’m here to help this football team win, and we’re not getting that done, so got to do something different.”
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