Breaking down the key sequences in the Patriots' upset victory over the Bills, including:
• Drake Maye playing more in rhythm of the offense on throws to Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins and Efton Chism;
• A holding call on Buffalo wiping out a poor decision by Maye on the goal line;
• The game-winning drive;
• And Josh Allen's terrible decision on the game-sealing interception.
4-3-BUF 29 (7:40) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short left to R.Doubs pushed ob at BUF 14 for 15 yards (M.Hairston).
1-10-BUF 14 (7:06) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short middle to R.Doubs for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN [G.Rousseau].
I have been asking for Drake Maye to play more in rhythm of the offense, and Sunday's game was a huge improvement in that area (still a ways to go to be truly elite). You see it on these back-to-back plays on the first drive of the game.
On the fourth down, the Bills showed Cover 3 zone before the snap, but dropped into Cover 2 with a zone exchange pressure off the corner. Maye does a good job recognizing it. He's still a little late to Romeo Doubs (who had put his hand up), and Maye drifts in the pocket and his feet are parallel to the line of scrimmage when he throws, but this is progress for Maye.
The touchdown pass is more improvement. They bluff the quick game to the right, and Maye knows if the backside safety rotates down, he has Doubs one-on-one with no help inside. Maye stays in the pocket and rips the ball front side to Doubs (if you had any illusions about Maye's shoulder, this should tell you otherwise) in the middle of the field. Now, this play was a near disaster before Will Campbell gives up a QB hit and Maye barely gets the throw off, but this is damn good quarterbacking.
2-9-BUF 44 (11:49) D.Maye pass deep left to M.Hollins to BUF 25 for 19 yards (D.Igbinosun).
4-2-BUF 17 (10:09) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short left to R.Doubs ran ob at BUF 8 for 9 yards.
2-2-BUF 2 (9:11) C.Lomu reported in as eligible. D.Maye pass incomplete short right to E.Raridon.
3-2-BUF 2 (9:06) C.Lomu reported in as eligible. D.Maye sacked at BUF 4 for -2 yards (L.Jackson). PENALTY on BUF-M.Hairston, Defensive Holding, 1 yard, enforced at BUF 2 - No Play. X18
2-2-BUF 2 (8:18) C.Lomu reported in as eligible. D.Maye pass short right to R.Doubs for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Maye always plays more convicted when he