What Drake Maye said about last-second touchdown, turnovers in Patriots’ loss to Titans

By Conor Ryan Drake Mayes last-second scramble and game-tying touchdown throw to Rhamondre Stevenson on Sunday afternoon will likely earn a spot in the promising QBs career-end highlight reel.

But the 22-year-old QB spent most of his postgame presser in Nashville focusing on the three turnovers that marred his promising performance and set the stage for a 20-17 Patriots loss.

Disappointed in the loss made some bad decisions, especially that one at the end there, Maye said of his game-ending interception in overtime.

We got a chance to go down there and at least tie it up.

Were on our own 40 think it was first down.

So I just got to be better.

I [had] some decisions that I made throughout the game that would have impacted the outcome and I take that upon myself.

Mayes turnovers loomed large in a game against a 1-6 Titans team that entered Sunday last in the league in takeaways (three), giveaways (16), and turnover margin (-13).

But even with those miscues, Jerod Mayo offered up a sentiment likely shared by many watching Maye serve as New Englands lone playmaker on an otherwise uninspired afternoon from the Patriots offense.

Look, hes a guy out there trying to make a play.

Hes just trying to make a play, Mayo said of Mayes turnovers.

And I think sometimes, as well as he has played, sometimes we forget how young he is, and hes going to continue to develop.

And hell be a good quarterback in this league.

...

We already knew it, but I think the obvious thing is just his mental toughness and ability to really change the page and being a resilient player.

Thats a great quality to have as a quarterback, and hes a good competitor.

The @Titans defense makes the play! Arden Key gets the strip sack to get the ball back.

: #NEvsTEN on FOX : https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/9yCU4WCM36 Mayes strip-sack in the fourth quarter might have handed Tennessee a go-ahead touchdown with 4:32 left in regulation, while the rookies second interception of day sealed a Titans win in overtime.

But had it not been for Mayes contributions both on the ground and through the air, the Patriots very well could have been dealt a lopsided loss against a very mediocre Tennessee roster.

Despite getting matched up against a stingy Tennessee defense allowing the NFLs fewest passing yards per game (151.6), Maye completed 29 of his 41 throws for 206 yards headlined by his game-tying TD to Stevenson after seemingly evading three or four game-ending sacks.

DRAKE MAYE MAGICCCCCCCCC!!!!!!!!! : FOX pic.twitter.com/UvIB3dRi8k The play was a fitting encapsulation of what Maye has showcased during his limited time as New Englands QB1 absolving a New England offensive line that still coughed up four sacks and nine QB hits in the loss.

Those numbers would have been far worse if it wasnt for Mayes ability to evade pressure and break free for chunk yardage.

According to Next Gen Stats , Maye scrambled for 11.82 seconds before finding Stevenson in the end zone marking the second-longest time to throw on a TD pass in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016).

The only play that was longer was Washingtons Jayden Daniels Hail Mary from one week ago against the Bears.

Beyond that last play in regulation, Maye routinely torched the Titans defense on the ground finishing with 95 rushing yards off of just eight carries (11.9 yards per carry).

The only Patriots QB to finish with more rushing yards in a single game were Steve Grogan (103, 1976) and Babe Parilli (96, 1964).

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@DrakeMaye2 is on the loose! : FOX pic.twitter.com/oK4yShYZnp Even with Sundays loss and the fact that he was just a week removed from a concussion Maye stressed that he isnt looking to change his approach on the field, especially when it comes to the running game.

Im not gonna change the player that I am, Maye acknowledged.

Im past the protocol and cleared and Im going to be the player.

And if theyre dropping out guys and theres some rush lanes up front, Im gonna make them pay.

And thats my mindset.

And I gotta make some better throws, and maybe might missed some guys, but at the same time Im going to play how Im going to play.

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Conor Ryan Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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