Good work habits for a quarterback are often illustrated by the belief that they can play better, even after they have an outstanding performance like the one Drake Maye enjoyed on Sunday afternoon.
The New England Patriots' second-year quarterback became the first signal-caller in team history to complete his passes at a 90-percent clip while throwing at least 20 times; that's something one Tom Brady never did.
Maye was practically flawless in the Patriots' 31-13 pasting of the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. The scary thing? Maye believes he could've played better, even after finishing 21-for-23 passing for 222 yards and two touchdowns, with another 62 yards rushing.
Drake Maye is the first #Patriots QB in team history to throw at least 20 passes in a game and have a completion percentage over 90%.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 19, 2025
Maye has also tied Tom Brady (2007 - the undefeated season!) with 4 games of at least 200 passing yards, a 135.0 rating and 2 passing TDs. 🫨🤯 pic.twitter.com/XJKetrsLLv
"I left some out there," Maye admitted after the game.
If that's not a sign of a quarterback who wants to take each week — good or bad — as a lesson, I don't know what is.
Maye is clearly taking the bull by the horns and has command of this offense. The Patriots have already eclipsed last season's win total and have won four straight games, including the last three away from Foxborough.
Maye's killer instinct will be a crucial aspect of New England Patriots' fate going forward
The Patriots have a golden opportunity to get to Halloween at 6-2 when they return home to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. If Maye plays the way he played in Tennessee, Mike Vrabel and company should have no problem taking care of business.
The way their quarterback is handling his business — in victory or defeat — is a big thing that is changing the attitude of a team that won only eight games the last two seasons combined.
May's response to Patriots reporter Mike Reiss on breaking the franchise's single-game completion percentage record was next-level for a 23-year-old quarterback with under 20 NFL starts to his credit.
I think I tucked it a couple times when I shouldn't have, and I think I need to get to the back side of the progression more. But, yeah, I think I'm trying to be careful with the football, and trying the challenge it down the field and not just be a 'check-down Charlie.' So, just trying to throw it to the guy that's open, and they're making great plays."
It would've been easy for Maye to ride on his high horse after his performance against the Titans, especially with national pundits starting to put him in the MVP race.
Maye is a selfless guy, though, and was quick to admit that he could've played a little better on a day where he was nearly perfect. That's the winning attitude the Patriots have been lacking since Tom Brady rode off into the sunset.