FOXBOROUGH – Makeshift offense line against the New York Giants? New blindside protection to his left?
No matter. Drake Maye didn’t miss a beat.
The Patriots quarterback just kept rolling as the Patriots plastered the Giants, 33-15, for their 10th straight win before a much-needed bye.
While there was some concern and apprehension ahead of the game for Maye and the Patriots offense, given the Giants vaunted pass rush, it proved unfounded.
The line held, and Maye was once again masterful in picking apart the opposing team’s defense.
He got rid of the ball quickly to avoid the rush, and with adequate protection, was still able to unleash his trademark deep ball.
Because of that, the game was over by halftime, with the Patriots putting up 30.
The Patriots quarterback, who remains a strong contender for NFL MVP honors, threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half, one to Kayshon Boutte from in close, and the other a perfectly thrown 33-yard over-the-shoulder toss to rookie Kyle Williams, who had a step on Paulson Adebo down the left sideline.
While the offense benefitted from Marcus Jones’ 94-yard punt return, Maye & Co. moved the ball on most possessions with relative ease in the early going.
Maye‘s usual blindside protectors – Will Campbell and Jared Wilson – did not play. Campbell is on IR with a reported MCL sprain, while Wilson suffered a high ankle sprain against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Center Garrett Bradbury, meanwhile, played, but was battling an illness.
Brian Burns, who is second in the league with sacks (13), wasn’t an issue as Maye was sacked once in the first half, and twice in the second half and really wasn’t bothered too much.
In all, Maye competed 24 of 31 passes for 282 with two TDs.
In the nitpick department, the Patriots still aren’t as efficient as one would hope in the red zone (1-for-5), and still struggle gaining a yard from anywhere on the field.
They only scored three points in the second half, but really weren’t pressed by the Giants.
Outside of that, the Maye-led offense moved the chains as needed (6-of-13 conversions on third down), and put up plenty of points.
The 2-win Giants did little to burst the Patriots bubble, or stop Maye, who remains undaunted by any obstacle – or any defense.