Patriots stock watch: Here’s who stood out and struggled in dominant win against Titans
Drake Maye was precise. Rhamondre Stevenson set the tone. K'Lavon Chaisson broke the game wide open.
The Patriots put together a dominant win in Tennessee, led by a versatile performance from quarterback Drake Maye.
It was a 31-13 victory for the Patriots, their fourth straight triumph. Rhamondre Stevenson enjoyed a bounce-back game, and the defense compiled five sacks. K’Lavon Chaisson added a touchdown on a fumble return.
Maye hit his head and spent a few minutes in the blue medical tent, but Josh Dobbs kept the drive alive and the Patriots scored after Maye returned to the game.
Mike Vrabel got a victory in his return to Tennessee, where he coached for six years before taking over with the Patriots.
Here’s a look at who stood out and struggled during the win.
Stock up
Drake Maye
Maye was about as good as it gets in this game. He completed 21 of 23 passes and moved the chains in a variety of ways.
Deep ball to Kayshon Boutte? Check. Dropping dimes in the bucket to multiple receivers down the sideline? Check. Picking up first downs with his legs? Absolutely.
Maye continues to display pinpoint accuracy as the Patriots’ downfield passing game evolves. He was second on the team in rushing. He looked a little uncomfortable at the beginning of the game and wound up being sacked four times, but once he settled in, Tennessee had no answer for him.
The second-year quarterback elevated his teammates again in another dominant performance.
Rhamondre Stevenson
Stevenson set the tone on the opening drive. It was one of those situations where a team feels comfortable pounding the rock with their power back until the opponent shows that they can stop it.
The veteran running back piled up several bruising runs, keeping Tennessee’s defense honest and opening things up for play-fakes later in the game.
None of his runs went longer than 16 yards, but he consistently pushed the ball forward and at times made something out of nothing as he stiff-armed and ran through defenders who made their way into the backfield.
It was, perhaps, his best game since last year’s season opener at Cincinnati. And, oh yeah, he didn’t fumble.
K’Lavon Chaisson
The Titans hung around of a while, but Chaison broke the floodgates open with a scoop and score in the third quarter.
Chaison made a rip move past his blocker and chased a backpedaling Cam Ward with his hands straight in the air. Ward got nervous and let the ball slip out of his hands, and Chaisson pounced on it for his first career touchdown. It was the only fumble either team had all day.
The former first-round pick continues to show flashes of talent. He posted two sacks on Sunday, impacting the game beyond his touchdown.
The Patriots’ pass-catchers
It was a good day for alomst all of the Patriots’ pass-catchers, who collectively hauled in 22 out of 24 targets.
Tight end Austin Hooper made a highlight-reel grab over a defender on a throw that was well short of him. It was a heck of an effort, not just to hang on to it, but also to keep his feet in bounds there.
Boutte hauled in the deep ball from Maye. He has developed into a reliable target for the second-year quarterback.
Mack Hollins had a pair of big gains. DeMario Douglas made a sliding one-handed catch on a throw that was behind him.
The ever-reliable Hunter Henry crontributed four catches. Stefon Diggs caught all seven of his targets.
Maye made them all look good, and they helped him out on some catchable throws that ultimately took some extra effort to snag.
Milton Williams
Williams added another sack to his total and played a key role in helping the Patriots hold the Titans to just 29 rushing yards.
The Patriots compiled five sacks and were equally as dominant against the run.
Williams led the charge up front again, continuing to show why he has been worth the massive contract he signed in the offseason.
Marcus Jones
Jones continued his hot streak, posting his second interception in three games. He also snuck in for a tackle for loss.
The prolific punt returner made an impact on defense, forcing one of two Tennessee turnovers.
Stock flat
The Patriots’ defensive backs
The Patriots sat back in zone a lot of the time, and Ward had a decent amount of time to throw early in the game.
Ward went 25-for-34 with a touchdown and an interception. Things began to unravel for him in the second half, but Tennessee was hanging around in the first half. The Patriots, who came into the game giving up 240 passing yards per game, gave up 255 yards in this game.
It wasn’t a great performance from the secondary, but Jones’s interception at the end helped make up for it.
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TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson had just two carries for five yards. Part of that was because Stevenson was eating up yardage and Maye was playing close to flawless football.
But when your second running back only gets two carries, that shows that the coaches weren’t eager to put the ball in his hands.
The rookie did not have a heavy workload, but did not gain much yardage with his touches.
Kyle Williams
Williams was the only Patriots receiver to finish without a catch.
The speedy rookie only got one target early in the game, but wasn’t able to haul it in.
During a dominant offensive performance, the rookie finished with zero yards.
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