Mike Vrabel walked into the Patriots locker room after Sunday’s 29-26 win in Buffalo, held up a game ball, and told his young quarterback the kind of thing coaches say when the season has just turned. Will Campbell had set the tone during the final drive, shouting at Drake Maye on the sideline that he was the best in the world.
Maye finished 22 of 37 for 269 yards and three touchdowns, adding 54 rushing yards on eight carries with four first downs on scrambles. He also threw two interceptions in the first half, the kind that have derailed previous Maye performances. This time they did not.
New England moved to 2-2. Buffalo dropped to 3-1 and absorbed its first defeat under head coach Joe Brady, who was promoted from offensive coordinator in January after the Bills parted with Sean McDermott.
The drive that defined Maye
Trailing 26-21 in the fourth quarter, Maye marched the Patriots 73 yards in eight plays. On third-and-5 from the Buffalo 23, Maye rolled right and lofted the ball into the end zone, where Chism, a second-year receiver, pulled it in with one hand with cornerback Davison Igbinosun tangled with his left arm. Maye then found Rhamondre Stevenson for the two-point conversion to make it 29-26 with 1:50 to play.
Read also: Official investigation launched into Ireland-Israel conflict
“Drake gave me an opportunity and you have to come down with those opportunities,” Chism said afterward, according to ESPN.
Buffalo had the ball back with time to answer. Josh Allen, who had thrown for 253 yards and run for a touchdown, stiff-armed his way out of a Dre’Mont Jones sack and went deep down the left sideline for Joshua Palmer. Safety Craig Woodson cut in front of the receiver and high-pointed the ball with 1:04 left to end the game.
“Should have thrown that one out of bounds and live another day,” Allen said.
Vrabel takes a shot at the officials
Vrabel was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct in the first half for arguing a call and later called the official “a little sensitive.”
Read also: Wayne Rooney lost 40 kg: Denies usage of Ozempic
“Gets us back in the race. Felt like Drake went toe to toe with him.”
The Patriots won without receiver A.J. Brown, lost Mack Hollins to a non-contact calf injury in the third quarter and operated a defence missing Christian Gonzalez and Christian Barmore. Maye targeted nine different receivers. Rhamondre Stevenson punched in a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Doubs caught scores of 2 and 14 yards.
Maye kept his own verdict modest.
“It’s relieving a little bit. I know I’ve got to play better and still left some stuff out there today.”
Read also: Kyrie Irving lines up with Cooper Flagg at last as Dallas opens preseason in Macao
Buffalo’s unbeaten home run under Brady ends
Buffalo had entered the game as one of the AFC’s clearest Super Bowl contenders and had never lost a regular-season home game under Brady. The Bills travel to the Los Angeles Rams on October 12; the Patriots meet the Las Vegas Raiders on October 11.
