There's no question the Patriots don't come back and beat the Dolphins unless Drake Maye combines with Rhamondre Stevenson and DeMario Douglas to basically run the table in the third quarter.
I broke down most of the key plays on Monday. Maye made a ridiculous throw on the Kyle Williams touchdown. Maye avoided pressure to hit Douglas for 26 yards after a bad snap, and on Douglas' touchdown. And Maye made a nice read/play on the read option.
But Maye was also part of the team-wide sleepwalk in the first half that nearly led to the Patriots' demise as they trailed 13-3. Yeah, I know I'm nitpicking here. After playing poorly in the first 3.5 games, Maye's played really good football, for the most part, in the last 4.5 games. I also know he was fronting a MASH unit in Miami, and they were all fortunate to be playing the 1-win Dolphins.
But starting on Sunday against the Packers (4th in pass DVOA) — and coming attractions against the Vikings (No. 1), Chiefs (20th ... but it's Steve Spagnuolo and at Arrowhead) and Broncos (6th) — Maye is going to be really tested, so he'll need to be more on top of his game for 60 minutes, starting with the red zone, where the Patriots will not be able to afford to leave with field goals instead of touchdowns as the opponents heat up.
It started on the opening drive of the game. After the Patriots deftly got into the red zone, they stalled.
On first and 10 from the Miami 21, Maye has Eli Raridon immediately for about 6 yards, but he doesn't take it. He also will have DeMario Douglas, who aligned in the backfield as another option on the left to get into second and medium. Maye holds the ball too long and then turfs it, to bring up 2nd and 10.
On 2nd and 10, Maye takes the profit he should have had on first down to Raridon in the left flat. You'd like to see Maye be a