2024-08-26 10:35:02
2. Maye Throws First TD, OL struggles
After a Commanders punt, Drake Maye put together a scoring drive, going 88 yards in 11 plays and finishing off the drive with a throw to Kevin Harris that Harris dove into the end zone with after breaking a tackle.
Maye flashes his arm and athleticism on the drive, first rushing for a first down on 3rd-and-14, then a 29-yard strike to Ja’Lynn Polk, and a 16-yard pass to DeMario Douglas on 3rd-and-8. The operation was sloppy at times with two botched snaps, Maye showed his ability to avoid trouble, keep his eyes downfield and make plays.
The drive was another building block for the young quarterback as he handled some negative plays and led the team on an extended scoring drive.
Maye’s second drive wasn’t as productive, with JaMychal Hasty picking up 22 yards on a catch and carry, but two penalties (one declined) and a screen pass to Douglas that was blown up in the backfield helped force a Patriots punt.
Maye’s third and fourth drives were even worse, with two three-and-outs and three more penalties on the offensive line (one declined). That brought the total, including declined penalties, to five on the offensive line in five possessions. Patriots offensive linemen were getting pushed into the backfield too frequently and there weren’t many clean pockets for Maye to work out of. They even stepped on Maye’s foot once, pulling off his shoe and forcing him to throw a pass while planting in a sock.
Poor play up front hurt the Patriots offensive chances to get anything going after Maye’s first scoring drive and considering it was four of the current five starters going against Washington’s backup defenders, it was a disconcerting performance.
