Patriots' Drake Maye opens London game with 16-yard TD pass

LONDON -- Rookie quarterback Drake Maye 's calm response to a third-down blitz was a key to the New England Patriots getting out to a 7-0 lead after their first possession of Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium.

On third-and-10 from the Jaguars' 16-yard line, Maye was in the shotgun with running back JaMycal Hasty to his right. The Jaguars simulated pressure -- with defensive end Josh Hines-Allen dropping into coverage with defensive backs Darnell Savage and Antonio Johnson rushing -- and Maye calmly dumped the ball off to Hasty on the right side.

Hasty, a five-year veteran who used to play for the Jaguars, then did the rest by initially running up the sideline before cutting back inside at the 9-yard line and darting into the end zone as Jaguars defenders were shoddy in their attempts to tackle. Maye, who is making his second career NFL start, was 6-of-7 for 62 yards on the opening march.

It was the Patriots' first opening drive of the season that ended with points on the scoreboard. Specifically against the blitz, Maye was 3-of-4 for 30 yards and the touchdown on the opening drive. Three of his four touchdown passes have come against the blitz.