BSJ Game Report: Patriots 31, Titans 13 - Maye, Stevenson overcome slow start by defense

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Titans in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

It wasn't exactly as predicted, but the Patriots eventually win easily: The first half was kind of a shootout between Drake Maye (10 of 11, 110 passing yards, 43 rushing yards, 2 passing TDs) and Cam Ward (11 of 16, 148 yards, 1 TD) as the new-look Titans under interim coach Mike McCoy were basically shredding the Patriots' secondary as the first four drives went into New England territory. The Titans averaged 13 points per game coming in. They scored that on their first four possessions. The Titans just aren't talented enough to finish off drives, or this could have been a different game. 

Give credit to the Patriots' defense for showing much stronger in the second half (Titans had -3 yards on their three third-quarter possessions), and Ward just dropped a ball for an easy sack/touchdown for K'Lavon Chaisson to make this one a laugher. 

But this game was all about Drake Maye again, with an assist from the running game making an appearance with Rhamondre Stevenson (18 carries, 88 yards, TD until garbage time). Maye was just incredible, finishing 21 of 23 (91.3%), 222 yards, 2 TDs and 135.9 rating. About the only thing he did was take some hits, including one that took him off the field for a concussion evaluation. His accuracy was outrageous. 

According to the Patriots, Maye set a franchise record for the highest completion percentage in a single game (min. 20 pass att.) with a 91.3 completion percentage at Tennessee. The previous record was held by Tom Brady, who had an 88.5 completion percentage vs. Jacksonville on Dec. 27, 2009.

From NextGenStats: Drake Maye's 39-yard TD pass to Kayshon Boutte traveled 52.6 yards in the air, Maye's 2nd of the season over 50 yards by air distance. Maye is the only QB this season with multiple TD passes that traveled over 50 yards in the air.

Defense struggles, no matter final outcome: Between Spencer Rattler last week, and Cam Ward in the first half of this one, opposing quarterbacks completed 31 of 42 passes (74%) for 375 yards (8.9 yards per attempt), one touchdown and no interceptions. About the only thing this defense has done well is to keep previously sputtering offenses out of the end zone. It's going to need to get a lot better against some of the better offenses they will see. We said this last week, but maybe the way the defense closed the game (shutout, 3 sacks, strip-sack TD, interception) will lead to something better next week. But we said that after the Saints game as well, and this Titans offense, missing Calvin Ridley, was much worse.

Running game gets going, kind of: It still wasn't good, and there were breakdowns in the blocking (for Maye too), but at least the Patriots finally showed a conventional rushing offense with three backs carrying 25 times for 111 yards and a score. Even though they also ran when he was in there, it should be noted that Titans star DT Jeffrey Simmons didn't play the final three quarters with a hamstring injury. But there was certainly progress on the running front, which was good to see.

TURNING POINT

4-1-TEN 9 (8:14) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short middle to D.Douglas to TEN 4 for 5 yards (C.Barton).

I don't know if that was the turning point, with the Patriots leading 17-13 early in the third quarter, but if they turned it over to the Titans here, maybe it gives the home team a lift. But Demario Douglas made a ridiculous catch to bail out Drake Maye, Rhamondre Stevenson went in untouched and the game was pretty much over.

SECOND GUESS

Did Maye really need to stay in the game that long? Could they have managed his hits a lot better, and that goes for him too?

And why not get TreVeyon Henderson some work in the fourth quarter to see if he can find a rhythm?

THREE UP

QB Drake Maye: The stats say he has the most accurate game in Patriots team history and I'm not going to argue. His completion percentage over expected of +24.4% is second-best in the NFL this season behind Sam Darnold in Week 5.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson: His rushing in the first half kind of set the tone.

DE K'Lavon Chaisson: Had two sacks, including a scoop and score.

TWO DOWN

LG Jared Wilson: PFF has him with three sacks allowed.

S Craig Woodson: Got turned around like Jonas Sanker last week on a deep touchdown from the Titans.

INJURIES

QB Drake Maye (head): Appeared to be evaluated for a concussion but quickly returned to the game.

TOP PLAYS

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Now that the running offense showed some life, time for pass defense to step up: It ended up OK against a porous opponent, but I think everyone here who is mature and rational could agree that the pass defense is really struggling in the middle of the field, and the consistency of the pass rush continues to be an issue. It looks really good when they're up two scores, but before the offense spots them that, it's pretty sketchy. If the Patriots are going to do anything this season, they're going to have to get a lot better there. Right now I have no answers, but I'll be looking at the film.

They really need Maye to strike a better balance with the hits he's taking: The guy is playing phenomenal football right now and you don't want to mess with that too much right now, but there's nothing more important to this football team right now than Maye's health, and it was put into jeopardy unnecessarily today — by himself and the team. They need to do a better job managing situations. I'm guessing some of the hits later in the game came from Maye properly checking out of running plays with the Titans stacking the box to stop the run, but there needs to be a better answer than putting Maye in harm's way. And he needs to get down better with the football. They've played seven games, and in about three of them, he came close to another concussion. Needs to be managed better.