- Drake Maye is pressing and its effect on the Patriots has been wide-ranging. That’s the No. 1 takeaway from Sunday’s 35-6 blowout loss to the Jaguars in which Maye lost a fumble and threw two interceptions, continuing his early-season struggles. Coach Mike Vrabel compared it to a golfer squeezing the club too tight, saying on sports radio WEEI, “We need to stop trying to choke the life out of every single play. We need to relax. We need to settle in and not try to force things that aren’t there.” That sums up what has unfolded succinctly.
- Maye as an error-repeater from a decision-making standpoint is shockingly unexpected. His late second-quarter interception – on third-and-goal from the 2 – was the same type of decision he made at the end of the season opener in Seattle. He hasn’t been the type of player who repeats errors like that in the past, which amplifies Vrabel’s golf-club analogy.
- Maye’s turnovers changed everything. The Patriots, although not in control of the game because of struggles to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, were still in the fight at the end of the second quarter when they trailed 14-3 and were at the Jaguars’ 2-yard line. Then the dam finally broke late in the third quarter after Maye’s third turnover – an ill-advised throw on a comeback route to well-covered WR Kyle Williams. Bottom line to a more complex situation: The first step to improvement is Maye protecting the team with better decision-making. He has said as much. So this week’s focus is naturally on how Vrabel, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant and teammates help him hit that target.
- Keeping an eye on starting right tackle Morgan Moses today. One of the things that stood out to me in film review is that he was clearly hobbled, beginning on the second play of the game when he reached down for his foot. It showed at times in his play, which wasn’t up to its usual level (e.g. — regrettable holding penalty negating Maye’s TD run). Moses was on the injury report last Wednesday (did not practice), which highlights how first-round pick Caleb Lomu is one snap away from being in the lineup. Also, the Patriots would benefit if 2025 seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant (IR, designated to return) could begin practicing this week.
- Starting right guard Mike Onwenu (broken right ankle) is on injured reserve. Top backup Greg Van Roten, whose performance was inconsistent, landed on IR on Tuesday (thigh). So how Vrabel approaches that spot is another area to watch for an OL that was part of contributing to Maye facing a 47% pressure rate in Jacksonville (highest this season, fourth highest of his career). It’s probably Ben Brown over Walter Rouse (tough outing Sunday), but that doesn’t come without risk because Brown is the backup center, too.
- We’ve made it to this point without mentioning the defense, and that’s partly because I thought the unit deserved better. A goal was a fast start based on the Jaguars’ previous early-game success at home, and the D/special teams delivered by forcing punts on the initial two drives and giving the offense promising field position. Credit also goes to QB Trevor Lawrence, overall, for some big-time throws under pressure (e.g. – converting third-and-9, third-and-11 in the 3Q). That said, the pad level of DTs was way too high too consistently (Christian Barmore and Cory Durden among those pancaked), which let the Jaguars’ offensive line – not considered a strength of the team – control the line of scrimmage. And, of course, the 5-of-5 in the red zone will be a big point of emphasis – as leaky zone coverage was the issue when the game was still competitive.
- Not-so-silver linings: Andy Borregales missing a 38-yard field goal, with holder Mitch Wishnowsky spinning the football to get the laces out on Julian Ashby’s snap … Kyle Williams fielding a kickoff at the 9-yard line and stepping out of bounds … WR Mack Hollins, who was a standout performer, marring his day with an unneeded taunting penalty in the fourth quarter … Back-to-back neutral-zone infraction penalties by OLB’s Elijah Ponder and Gabe Jacas … Missed tackles by safety Jaylen Reed and LB Darius Muasau as they lunge and swipe, while LB Robert Spillane also had a missed tackle when he had a chance to bring down Trevor Lawrence for a sack … Two penalties on TE Cameron Latu (block in the back on special teams, false start on offense) and not holding a block against Jahlani Tavai (pictured) in kickoff coverage that led to a 20-yard return (3Q/1:08) … TE Hunter Henry’s inability to hold a block on what could have been a huge throw-back-across-the-line pass from WR Efton Chism III to RB TreVeyon Henderson (2Q/10:34) … Maye missing a wide-open Pop Douglas on an on-the-move throw for what could have been a big gain (2Q/2:53) … Maye sneaking on third-and-1 when it’s closer to third-and-2 (3Q/13:52) … Allowing a 42-yard kickoff return as Jose Ramirez is too deep as it comes to Efton Chism III’s side.
- Silver linings: CB Carlton Davis III twice defending quick passes to WRs with decisiveness … Sticky coverage/tackling overall from CB Marcus Jones, who I thought deserved consideration for an OPI call on WR Parker Washington’s remarkable TD catch … Jaylen Reed’s coverage and PBU to set up Jones’ INT … Runs of 5, 8, 4, 4 and 2 yards on the Patriots’ second drive ending in Maye’s fumble, with the 2-yard run arguably the best of all because it was third-and-2 and reflective of early success on the ground before things got away from them … Strong stack-shed-tackle plays from OLB Gabe Jacas on runs of 3 and 1 yard (1Q — 3:10, 1:41) … Maye’s mental-toughness response after the second INT and getting crunched on a sack at the 2, leading the offense to a FG … OLB Elijah Ponder bending the edge on the sack he shared with Gabe Jacas (3Q/3:02).
- Next up is a trip to Orchard Park, NY to face the Bills (3-0), who surely smell blood in the water after having the Patriots reclaim the AFC East title to break their five-year run at the top of the division. They turned the ball over five times in last Sunday’s win over the Chargers … and still won 24-16. They are No. 1 in ESPN’s power rankings. For the Patriots, it all comes back to Maye and if he can loosen the grip on the club. Leaning on the run game, which has been effective at times but inconsistent at others, could be the start of the winning formula.