Breaking down Drake Maye’s performance against the Chargers in Week 17.
It took just three plays for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to leave Saturday’s game with a head injury. While Maye missed just one series of work, the third-down sack — which resulted in a blow to his head — foreshadowed the rest of his afternoon.
In a 40-7 uncompetitive blowout, the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense had the game plan against the Patriots offense. The Chargers attacked Maye and New England’s offensive line by bringing 10 blitzes, which accounted for nearly one-third of Maye’s drop backs. That resulted in a pressure rate just shy of 50 percent — the worst Maye has faced all season.
Maye had his issues both pre- and post-snap against pressure, which started on that first third-down of the game. Seeing the soft edge to his right, Maye opens to his right and takes the space with his legs only to be chased down by a defensive end wrapping around that direction.
But as Maye takes off, he ends up missing an open DeMario Douglas beating his man coverage assignment back from the left slot for a potential big gain through the air.
“Even that first third-down, had a chance at Pop on a route and had a chance on some later third downs,” Maye said Monday on WEEI.
Similar issues of leaving the pocket too early plagued Maye later in the game, especially on those late-down situations.
Later in the third quarter, New England’s offense remained on the field on 4th-and-2 as they were trailing by 20. Los Angeles puts six on the line of scrimmage with safety Derwin James showing blitz over the left side of the line of scrimmage.
The Chargers end up bringing a unique blitz with James and a second level linebacker blitzing as two defenders fall back into coverage off the right side of the line of scrimmage. As the Patriots’ offensive line slides to the right to account for the pre-snap look, Maye is “hot” with more blitzers than blockers to his left and must account for James by himself.
Instead of standing in and throwing into the blitz to an open Antonio Gibson in the flat — or getting real aggressive and taking a shot to Kendrick Bourne down the left sideline — Maye bails away from James to his right away for a sack.
James’ day wasn’t done, as he then got to Maye again on fourth-down on the Patriots next possession. This time, Maye does a strong job checking New England into the right protection by moving Gibson and Austin Hooper. While Gibson gets blown up in pass protection by James, Maye has plenty of time to hit a wide open Hunter Henry out to his left.
It’s a throw we’ve seen Maye hit plenty to start his career — especially to the veteran tight end — but Maye doesn’t pull the trigger and takes a sack.
Overall, Maye finished 1-for-6 for seven yards with two sacks and two scrambles vs. the blitz on Saturday. While it wasn’t his best showing in that regard, Maye still did have some positives elsewhere despite defeat.
Maye’s physical skillset was on display on their lone scoring drive of the afternoon. After hitting the basic route on what has appeared to become his favorite concept (Bow) to Bourne for 18 yards to start the drive, Maye then picked up 12 yards with his legs before connecting with Douglas on a 36-yard heave.
Catching the Chargers offsides, Maye shows the arm strength by launching one to the end zone with Joey Bosa right in his face. Douglas then makes a fantastic adjustment to secure the touchdown.
In totality, it was one of Maye’s worst games since taking over as the Patriots starter. It certainly did not fall all on the rookie, but the hope now is the 22-year old will only learn from the issues against pressure.
“I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve kind of taken away from some of these games,” Maye said on WEEI. “I’m getting a lot of big time reps and getting blitzed and facing some zone, facing some man. Having to make different throws and having to be in different situations at the end of games.
“I think that’s the best thing for me is get something out of these weeks and something out of these experiences. So, that when things come back, hopefully next year and years to come, that when these things matter — when these games matter — we’re prepared for it and we’ve seen it.”
Whether he will have the chance to gain more experience and avenge those mistakes next week in the season finale is yet to be known, as Jerod Mayo left the door open for the Patriots to go elsewhere at the position. No. 1 overall pick aside, it may not be the worst thing to limit Maye’s snaps as any injury — especially one that would force him to miss any part of offseason programs — would be a detrimental outcome.