Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots stayed in the win column on Monday, celebrating a tenth straight W to improve to 11-2 on the year.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live viewing in the 33-15 victory.
QB Drake Maye: In his first Monday night appearance, it was another sharp night for the Patriots QB which drew more “MVP” chants throughout Gillette Stadium. Maye completed 24-of-31 passes for 282 yards and a pair of scores while generating +0.31 EPA per play (82nd percentile).
Besides dropping two touchdowns in the bucket to Kayshon Boutte and Kyle Williams, Maye delivered pretty throws to Hunter Henry on a sail route (after moving a short zone defender on a pump fake) and made several key plays extending with his legs. The QB also played turnover free football and spread the wealth with eight receivers tallying at least one catch.
LB Christian Elliss: New England answered the call and came out playing fast and physical Monday night, and much of that had to do with linebacker Christian Elliss helping set the tone. Elliss delivered a bone crushing, but legal, hit on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart along the sideline in the first quarter and later forced a fumble on a kickoff with another big blow. The linebacker added to his night with a team-high 10 total tackles and sealed the game with a fourth-down pass deflection.
PR Marcus Jones: The Patriots All-Pro punt returner got the team on the board first, as Jones fielded a punt at his own six-yard line and took it 94 yards the other way for a touchdown — his second punt return score of the season. Jones even added 30 additional yards on his next two punt returns, as he is tracking for another All-pro nod.
“Marcus is just a fantastic returner, and I’m proud of the guys on that unit,” Mike Vrabel said. “They take a lot of pride in blocking for him.”
Offensive line: For the first time this season, New England entered a game without Will Campbell protecting Drake Maye’s blindside while Jared Wilson also was sidelined at left guard. That turned things over to Vederian Lowe and Ben Brown, who suited up next to center Garrett Bradbury who was playing through an illness.
Despite the beaten up unit, Maye was under pressure on just 25 percent of his drop backs which marked the second-lowest number of his career. There remained some struggles in the run game, but Maye was sacked just once on a play he took the blame for.
Red zone offense After last week’s struggles finishing off drives in Cincinnati, New England ran into similar problems Monday night. In five trips to the red zone, the Patriots scored a touchdown just one time while Andy Borregales attempted four short field goals — one, in fairness, coming at the end of the first half with just two seconds remaining.
P Bryce Baringer: The Patriots punter had just two punts...
