The New England Patriots no doubt have a star in Drake Maye. The passing offense has been revolutionized under his leadership. He's made journeymen like Mack Hollins look like stars, and Kayshon Boutte, once an afterthought, one of the best deep threats in the league.
So far, he has 3,567 yards with a 70.9% completion rate, 27 total touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He's second in MVP odds only behind Matthew Stafford, and rightfully so. Despite this incredible season, there's reason for concern as we get into the latter part of the year.
The Patriots have scored 27.3 points per game, ranking seventh in the league, 10.3 points above their 2024 average. They've had some dominant performances, including a 42-13 win over the Panthers back in Week 4.
Surprisingly, their 6th-ranked passing offense hasn't been what's been utilized in these drubbings.
Drake Maye's passing isn't why the Patriots are running up the score
The Patriots have had six games this season in which they've scored 30+ points. Except for their matchup against the Giants, Drake Maye has attempted fewer than 25 passes in each of these dominant offensive performances.
During that time, they are also 5-1, their only loss coming against the Bills this past Sunday.
5/6 times the #Patriots have scored 30+ points this year, Drake Maye has attempted less than 25 passes. They are also 4-1 when he has less than 25 attempts
— Graham Wilker (@GrahamWilker1) December 15, 2025
@ MIA: 33 pts / 23 att
vs CAR: 42 / 17
@ TEN: 31 / 23
vs CLE: 32 / 24
vs NYG: 33 / 31
vs BUF: 31 / 23#nfl #DrakeMaye
The Patriots are 26th in pass attempts per game, averaging 29.4 per game. When attempting less than that average (29 or fewer passes), New England is 6-1. When the Patriots do put up big numbers, Drake Maye's final stats haven't wowed. Instead, efficiency has been his game: in four of the six performances in which the Patriots scored 30+, he's had a passer rating over 125.0.
Sunday was no doubt a concerning day in the air. He finished with 155 passing yards, and while his interception was more of an arm punt (3rd & 25 heave intercepted at the Buffalo 9), an errant throw dropped by Jordan Poyer should have gone the other way.
He finished the first half 9/11 for 108 yards, but his dismal 5/12, 47-yard second half led to only two first downs the entire second half. Of the five drives New England had in the second half, TreVeyon Henderson's 65-yard cutback touchdown accounted for one, while the pair of first downs happened on the same drive before Maye threw an interception.
The Patriots finished their other three drives with two punts and a turnover on downs, totaling 13 plays for -8 yards.
Maye was unable to hold a lead in the biggest game of his career thus far, and the Patriots haven't needed him to put up superstar numbers to score 30+ this season.
In fact, they've relied on the defense and special teams in their major scoring performances: one of the units scored a touchdown in four of their six 30+ point games, and they forced a safety against the Browns. That's 5 of 6 games with defensive or special teams points.
As we get into the gritty part of the season, Maye will need to step up when called upon to be a high-volume thrower of the football.