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Drake Maye could blow past rival quarterback with an impressive rookie season

Patriots' QB threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns.

By Kellen Coleman

Oct 13, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) hugs New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) after a game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) hugs New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) after a game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images / Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
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It was another blowout loss for the Patriots on Sunday, but the mood was far from unhappy after the game. That's because the man of the hour, Drake Maye, showed New England fans what the future might hold.

Standing at 6-4 and weighing 225 pounds, it's been easy to look across the division and see Buffalo's Josh Allen, at 6-5 and 237 lbs., as a mirror image of Maye. 

Ironically, Maye made his first start just a week after Josh Allen played against the same team (Houston) and objectively outplayed him. 

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though. Allen has been in the game. He's led the Bills to four consecutive division titles and five playoff appearances with a record of 5-5. While he lacks the true breakthrough playoff performance, at the very least, the AFC East runs through him and Buffalo until someone proves otherwise.

So Maye outperformed Allen against Houston this season, but what about their rookie debuts side-by-side? Once again - albeit by a slimmer margin - advantage, Maye.

Drake Maye's NFL debut is more impressive than the numbers tell you

Maye finished his debut 20-of-33 passing for 243 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions while taking four sacks. One of the interceptions was 100% his fault, but the other was one of the more fluky plays you will see. He also showcased his running ability with 38 yards on the ground.

Allen was thrown into the fire sooner than Maye, taking the reins in week 2 of the 2018 season against the Chargers. Allen completed 18-of-33 passes for 245 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and five sacks. He also had 32 yards rushing, making the two debuts eerily similar when compared.

Allen played in 12 games during his rookie campaign of 2018, throwing for 2,074 yards, ten touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 28 sacks. He also rushed for 631 yards and eight touchdowns, including two 100-yard games on the ground.

The bar has been set with 11 games to play for the Patriots in 2024. Drake Maye's early signs point to his ability to compete with the best in the division and the entire NFL.

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