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On ESPN’s First Take, Cam Newton praises Drake Maye for ‘unbelievable job’ vs. Bills
"Drake Maye did an unbelievable job of managing the game"
Drake Maye earned some praise from one of his childhood heroes on Monday.
The Patriots quarterback grew up in the Charlotte area as a Panthers fan, and Cam Newton was his favorite player.
On Monday, Newton highlighted Maye’s performance in a 23-20 upset win over the Bills during an episode of ESPN’s First Take.
“I don’t think it was more or less Josh Allen’s struggles,” Newton said. “Drake Maye did an unbelievable job of managing the game, and I said it, managing the game. Every quarterback needs to assemble that key in order to be effective.”
Maye completed 73 percent of his passes, going 22-for-30 and picking up 273 passing yards. He did not throw a touchdown pass, but he did not have any turnovers. He helped orchestrate a game-winning drive in the closing minutes.
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“The thing that comes to mind when thinking about last night’s game is apparent. Turnover differential,” Newton said. “The Buffalo Bills, since Sean McDermott has been head coach, if I’m not mistaken has had one of the top-3 turnover differential teams during his tenure. … The Buffalo Bills are the best team at that and they got beat at their own game yesterday.”
Maye, of course, had help. Rhamondre Stevenson scored a pair of touchdowns. Stefon Diggs went off for 10 catches and 146 yards against his former team.
“You bring up Drake Maye, but is it Drake?” Newton said. “Or is it Stefon Diggs? Dare I say he looks like vintage Stefon because he had [100 yards] last week, and I’m like ‘yo, what’s Cardi B over there doing to my boy?”
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“Stefon Diggs is playing some good football that impacted the whole sideline. Before the game he’s talking, you see how vibrant he is on the sideline, dapping up the offensive linemen coming up,” Newton added. “He wanted this game, and these kinds of wins, going into a divisional opponent in a hostile environment … and to come away with a win, that propels your team to give it’s identity.”
The Patriots have won three of their last four, and they were doomed by five turnovers in the loss against the Steelers.
Sunday marked perhaps the biggest win of the Drake Maye era so far. The New England quarterback, who was inspired by Newton when he was younger, is off to a hot start in his second season.
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