BSJ Game Report: Eagles 14, Patriots 13 - Maye opens eyes while Brissett struggles

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Eagles in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Drake Maye impresses in extended playing time: The third overall pick entered the game to start the second quarter and he immediately led two scoring drives (38 yards and 49 yards) with a field goal and touchdown (a Maye 4-yard keeper on a read-option designed run) in relief of Jacoby Brissett. There wasn't a lot of heavy lifting (4.3 yards per attempt) and he had a few errant passes (and another fumbled snap), but Maye did a lot of good things in the game. You could see him relax and gain confidence with every snap, which makes the decision to a) only play him six snaps in the opener, and b) never with the first-team offensive line in practice, even more infuriating. 

Maye's best throw came in the second half when he maneuvered the pocket and cut one loose to Javon Baker, who dropped it and robbed us of a big-time highlight.

Jacoby Brissett does not: The veteran was 3 of 7 for 17 yards (2.4 yards per attempt) and a horrendous end zone interception to take points off the board.

Brissett was flat-out bad. He's here to play a lot better than that and to take care of the ball. If he doesn't, he's going to make starting Maye a real conversation sooner rather than later. In fact, I got this text from an NFL offensive coordinator:

"They are nuts if they don’t play this kid this year…Brissett stinks and (Maye) could learn so much from the experience…build the whole offense around what he’s ready to do and let him go."

Food for thought.

Pass rush was outstanding - without blitzing: The Patriots had a ton of pressure against the Panthers, but they did it mostly through blitzing a bunch of backup linemen and a third-string QB. The Eagles started all their backups on offense with QB Kenny Pickett — only Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, Deatrich Wise, Josh Uche, Jahlani Tavai and Christian Gonzalez started or playing a lot for the Patriots among starters — and the Patriots got even more pressure. They dropped Pickett four times alone in the first half (five total sacks). Even better: the Patriots barely blitzed, so you saw real pressure and it allowed the secondary to get tested.

SECOND GUESS

What happened tonight only solidifies there was no reason to limit Maye to only six snaps in the first game. HE NEEDS TO PLAY.

FOUR UP

LB Raekwon McMillan: Whether it was on kickoff coverage or defense, he was again a heat-seeking missile. Led team with eight tackles.

DEs Keion White, Deatrich Wise, Josh Uche: While other vets took the night off, these guys answer the bell and just kept playing - and generating pressure. They combined for three of the five sacks.

QB Drake Maye: This was by far the best he looked all summer in pads outside of 7 on 7.

K Joey Slye: Made FGs from 51 and 45 yards. Slye also got the only FG attempt in the first game (41 yards). Chad Ryland only got three extra points in both games combined.

FIVE DOWN

OT Vederian Lowe: Got Maye decked and almost did the same to Brissett, who was able to the pass away with a defender on his legs (another bad decision).

QB Jacoby Brissett: He was inaccurate and made a terrible decision on the turnover. He had a 10.7 passer rating.

WR Javon Baker: Caught one of four attempts and dropped the bomb from Maye.

OL Atonio Mafi: Allowed two sacks of Joe Milton after the Eagles took the lead.

Cs Nick Leverett and Liam Fornadel: Patriots had three bad snap exchanges, one from Leverett (Maye), two from Forandel (Milton, Zappe) including the low shotgun snap that ended the game.

INJURIES

WR JaQuae Jackson: Came in and immediately grabbed his left knee coming back for a ball. Left on a cart.

TOP PLAYS

THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Maye has to get snaps with the first team this week in practice: Even if it's just to light a fire under Brissett, that would be fine. But Maye needs more. Time to force feed him. Figure out what he does well, and build off that (that should have been done before).

Brissett better start playing better ...: ... or else his time as a starter here could be short. Maye should sit for a while, at least the first four games, maybe the first eight. But if Brissett doesn't start playing a lot better, there will be no point in not playing Maye and letting him learn on the job.

Time for a new offensive line this week as well: Still going with LT Okorafor/Wallace, LG Sow, C Andrews, RG Robinson, RT Onwenu pending the film review. Okorafor is struggling blocking the zone scheme. We know about Lowe. Time to figure it out.