Drake Maye’s struggles against great defenses are impossible to ignore
The New England Patriots seemingly had a win gift wrapped and handed to them to kickoff the 2026 season. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was lost for the game just six plays in with a hip injury, and New England held the Seahawks without a point until the waning minutes of the third quarter. Despite […]
Seattle Seahawks edged out New England Patriots in a close Week 1 matchup, thanks to a strong fourth-quarter comeback by the Seahawks. New England starter Drake Maye struggled against the Seahawks' formidable defense, throwing three interceptions in the fourth quarter. The first interception was a deep pass intercepted by Nehemiah Pritchett, while the other two were preventable mistakes.
Maye's performance marked a concerning trend, as he had previously struggled in postseason games against top defenses. Prior to this game, Maye had only had a complete game since Week 17 of the 2025 season. His efficiency also took a hit, dropping from a QBR of 77.1 in the regular season to 40 in the playoffs. His yards per attempt dropped to a league-low 6.4 in his last five starts, which placed him among the worst in the league.
Despite a strong 2025 season, Maye's recent performances have raised concerns for the Patriots and their young quarterback, who is crucial for the team's success.
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