Breaking down all the key plays through video analysis in the Packers' blowout win over the Patriots, including Drake Maye's three interceptions and the top seven explosive pass plays allowed by the Patriots:
2-9-NE 26 (14:32) D.Maye pass deep left intended for M.Hollins INTERCEPTED by X.McKinney at 50. X.McKinney ran ob at NE 14 for 36 yards(M.Pryor).
1-10-NE 40 (12:54) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass deep left intended for K.Williams INTERCEPTED by E.Williams (B.Cisse) at GB 23. E.Williams ran ob at GB 23 for no gain.
2-7-GB 44 (5:47) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short left intended for E.Raridon INTERCEPTED by X.McKinney at GB 29. X.McKinney to GB 31 for 2 yards(H.Henry).
On the first interception, Maye has great protection, and the Patriots are running a simple over (Kyle Williams) and under (Mack Hollins) that they run all the time. Maye is supposed to read the deep safety. If he goes with the over, Maye should throw the under. If he dives on the under, Maye should throw the deep over in a 1-on-1 scenario.
Maye's stares at Williams, perhaps to draw the deep safety over, which happens. Hollins is coming wide open in the middle of the field, but climbs the pocket for no reason, and his feet start to clicky-clack together so he's not in a good throwing position - and that's his fault. This is a bad interception. Hollins is open on time, and Maye does not throw it. By the time he finally gets around to throwing the ball, Xavier McKinney has driven on Hollins and now Maye should throw the deep post. Maye doesn't do that either. He throws a lazy pass that's easily intercepted. This is all on Maye.
The second interception was mostly just a great play by cornerback Brandon Cisse. Maye's throw could have been deeper and a little more toward the sideline — Williams did actually win his route and has to slow down slightly — but this is really good coverage. The read was fine by Maye, the throw could have been a little better, but this is just a football play.
The third interception is terrible, and shows Maye's biggest weakness to this point in his career. This is the same interception that he threw to Seattle's Julian Love in the Super Bowl, and in Week 1. Eli Raridon is open if Maye throws with anticipation before Raridon comes out of his break and with velocity. But Maye doesn't like to do either in the middle of the field. He has to confirm the target is open, and that's too late against a good pass defense in the NFL. By the time he does throw it, McKinney is again diving on Raridon. If Maye is going to wait this long, he should just throw the post to Williams, as McKinney is flat-footed and declared his intention. This is just bad and totally on Maye.
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