Patriots add new wrinkle to their offense in loss to Bills

Quarterback Drake Maye saw his first designed runs of the season on Sunday.

To run Drake Maye or not.

That was one of the more popular discussion points surrounding the New England Patriots in recent weeks — with the noise growing only louder after back-to-back short yardage runs up the middle were stopped short in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Entering a Week 16 matchup with the Buffalo Bills, New England had not called a designed run for their dual-threat quarterback all season. Part of that had to do with their record and their hope to get the rookie out of his first season healthy.

But, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said that philosophy could change in the future with the Patriots in a big game. And that big game came Sunday, as Maye was featured on several designed runs and quarterback sneaks in the team’s loss to the Bills.

“For us, we thought that was best for the football team,” Jerod Mayo explained post game. “He can make plays with his legs, and he did that today … We’re always looking for ways to win.”

Maye was in favor of that part of his game being utilized.

“I’m a big, 6’5 dude that can pick up a yard or beat somebody with some speed, and I think people underestimate me a little bit,” he said Sunday. “So, I think it helps us offensively to move the chains. At this point, we need some help, whether it’s some short yardage or some different areas down in the red zone for me to go make a play.”

The first designed run came in the second quarter down near the goal line, a spot Van Pelt previously had highlighted as an area they could deploy Maye’s legs. A zone-read saw the QB pull the ball but not gain any yards, making a self-proclaimed poor read trying to get the edge instead of cutting it upfield — drawing a hold on Hunter Henry in the process and potentially missing out on six points.

In the second half, Maye saw two more designed runs — one quarterback sneak and one more zone read. He picked up first downs on both occasions, including converting one fourth-down by beating Von Miller around the edge for a 13-yard gain.

“Shoot, I thought it was slick out there. I couldn’t really feel my feet,” Maye said. “But I think the other stuff, I think it’s a chance for us to pick up first downs, get a big one at the end there around the edge. Other than that, I think there’s times for it, but at the same time, I think me making plays, I think I’ll scramble enough and make some plays.”