New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye admitted he was sad along with his efficiency regardless of guiding his staff to a 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers within the AFC wild-card spherical on Sunday.
Maye accomplished 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards, with one landing, one interception and one misplaced fumble. He additionally had one other fumble recovered by left guard Jared Wilson.
His first-half show, by which he went 6-of-15, represented his lowest completion share in any half this season.
“Wasn’t fairly, that’s for positive,” Maye stated. “However this protection was so enjoyable to look at. They gained the sport for us. I didn’t throw very nicely. Must be higher.”
“Simply bought to be higher, whether or not it’s accuracy or ball placement or little issues, making selections sooner,” Maye stated. “Held on to the ball a bit bit. It wasn’t my finest, however that’s why you may have team-mates. These guys picked me up.”
The Patriots, now 15-3, will host the winner of Monday’s AFC wild-card recreation between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans within the divisional spherical subsequent Sunday.
Regardless of his struggles, Maye produced the decisive second late within the recreation, throwing a 28-yard landing move to tight finish Hunter Henry over the outstretched arm of security Derwin James Jr.
The rating prolonged New England’s result in 16-3 with 9:52 remaining and supplied respiratory room in a contest dominated by protection and discipline place.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel described the throw as “elite”. Maye was considerably sharper within the second half, finishing 11 of 14 passes for 173 yards and the landing.
Earlier, Maye had made his greatest impression along with his legs, together with a 37-yard run late within the second quarter that arrange an Andy Borregales discipline purpose to present New England a 6-3 half-time lead.
He completed because the Patriots’ main rusher with 66 yards on 10 carries, marking the primary time in franchise historical past {that a} quarterback led the staff in dashing throughout a playoff recreation.
“I’ve bought to present credit score to Drake Maye,” Chargers security Derwin James Jr stated. “Each time we bought him, he bought again up. Each time he wanted a play, he used his legs.”
The Patriots’ protection held the Chargers to 207 complete yards and recorded six sacks, tied for the second-most in a playoff recreation in franchise historical past.
It was solely the fifth time New England have gained a postseason recreation whereas scoring fewer than 20 factors.
With the victory, Maye joined Tom Brady as the one Patriots quarterbacks up to now 35 years to win their first profession playoff begin.
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