<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1Gj52Z_0w5QO9xt00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Gj52Z_0w5QO9xt00" width="1280" height="853" ><figcaption>New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper) AP</figcaption></figure>Here are some half-baked thoughts and knickknacks (AKA NickNacks) I came up with while watching the first half Sunday’s game between the <a href="https://www.masslive.com/patriots/">New England Patriots</a> and <a href="https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2024/10/patriots-vs-texans-live-coverage-drake-maye-era-begins-for-new-england.html">Houston Texans</a>:-- Well, fans got what they wanted: <a href="https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2024/10/drake-maye-needs-a-cape-and-then-some-karen-guregian.html">Drake Maye</a> is now the starting quarterback of the Patriots. The offense didn’t exactly light things up out of the gate. Alex Van Pelt called two straight ineffective runs to start the game, drawing early boobirds from the crowd.-- It probably didn’t help that Maye’s first pass of the game was heaved well out of bounds to the Patriots sideline on third down.-- Maye’s second pass attempt marked his first completion. The rookie pulled the ball on play action and hit Kendrick Bourne for an 8-yard gain.-- On his third pass attempt of the game, the rookie quarterback was involved in his first big play as a Patriots. It wasn’t the good kind.-- Maye fired deep to Pop Douglas late on a crossing route. However, the ball sailed high and into the waiting arms of Houston’s Callen Bullock. The Texans safety had a solid return going, however, Maye did a great job of tracking down Bullock in space and bringing him down with a clean tackle. If Maye doesn’t come up with that tackle, there’s a chance Bullock takes that all the way for a pick-six. You <a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1845518386757013539">can check out the play here</a>.-- The interception wasn’t a positive development. But the tackle was a lot better than what we saw from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4i6FmVXDGc">Mac Jones at times last season</a>.<ul><li>BETTING:</li></ul><ul><li><a href="https://www.masslive.com/betting/guides/how-to-bet/">MA sports betting guide</a>, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.</li></ul>-- We knew Maye could move. But it was encouraging to see him make some plays with his legs early on against an NFL defense with his 11-yard run. It was also encouraging to see him cover the ball with both hands as he knifed up the field.-- Well would you look at that. Maye can through a heck of a deep ball. The rookie capped off a scoring drive before halftime by launching a beautiful ball downfield to Kayshon Boutte. The ball his the second-year receiver in stride to close the score to 14-7 heading into halftime.-- For the first 29 minutes of this game, the Patriots truly struggled. But it only took Maye and the offense one minute to come up with a breakthrough performance and get on the board. That sort of playmaking and downfield passing was what the offense was missing while Jacoby Brissett was at the helm.-- With Rhamondre Stevenson out with an injury, Antonio Gibson got the start out of the backfield. It was not an easy day for him. His first three carries totaled zero net yards. It took him seven carries to eclipse 10 net yards on the day (seven carries for 12 yards).-- Another week, another starting five along the offensive line for the Patriots. This week, we had a surprise start as newly signed center Ben Jones lined up to open the game.-- Left tackle Vederian Lowe left the game with an ankle injury. Lowe got rolled up from behind on a sack of Maye. Right tackle Demontrey Jacobs was the guilty party on the play, getting beaten badly by Will Anderson Jr.-- Maybe I’m crazy, but I’m pretty sure I heard “MVP” chants from the crowd when Patriots punter Bryce Baringer came out for his third kick of the game.-- Fun fact: Baringer now has 23 consecutive games with a 50-yard punt. That’s the longest active streak in the NFL-- The Patriots continue to have problems with penalties. It was a major issue on defense early on. New England’s secondary was hit with pass interference calls on each of its first two drives, both of which set up touchdowns.-- The secondary did bounce back on the third drive. Safety Marte Mapu broke up a pass to Dalton Schultz (without drawing a flag), and deflected it right to Marcus Jones.-- For most players, it would be best if they’d knelt it down. But since Jones is an All-Pro returner, he gets a free pass for running it out. He ended up taking it out to the 27.-- Great effort by Jaylinn Hawkins in the second quarter chasing down Joe Mixon. The Texans back looked like he’s broken away for a long touchdown. However, Hawkins tracked him down after 59 yards -- setting up Jones' pick a few plays later-- Fortunate break for Mapu, who started the year on the PUP list. For a moment, it looked like his injury issues popped up again. The Patriots announced that he was questionable to return with a neck injury. However, the second-year safety returned to the field a few plays later.</div></body>

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Drake Maye’s 1st big plays were a beautiful TD and... a tackle? | NickNacks

Here are some half-baked thoughts and knickknacks (AKA NickNacks) I came up with while watching the first half Sunday’s game between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans:. -- Well, fans got what they wanted: Drake Maye is now the starting quarterback of the Patriots. The offense didn’t exactly...

Drake Maye’s 1st big plays were a beautiful TD and... a tackle? | NickNacks

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