Sportsnaut
Drake Maye and the New England Patriots are feeling good right now. Heading into Week 8, the team had won four games in a row and was sitting in first place in the AFC East.
Much of that success can be attributed to Maye. Fans were hopeful after Maye impressed as a rookie in 2024, but the young quarterback has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations so far. Now, with his team thriving, Maye is beginning to get some MVP buzz in just his second professional season.
On Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, Maye is only strengthening his case. In the third quarter alone against the Browns, Maye threw for three touchdowns. No Patriots passer has thrown for three touchdowns in a quarter since Tom Brady did so in December 2018 against the Miami Dolphins.
From ESPN Research: Drake Maye totaled 3 pass passing TDs in the 3rd quarter, as he became the first Patriots QB with 3 passing TDs in a quarter since Tom Brady (Dec. 9, 2018 at Dolphins).
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 26, 2025
Many quarterbacks struggle to throw three touchdown passes in a full game, much less in one quarter. This is just a testament to how much Maye has improved in such a short amount of time. Maye has been among the most efficient passers in the league in 2025.
The quarterback now has three games in the NFL with at least three passing touchdowns. Before Week 8, the quarterback had most recently thrown for three scores two weeks ago against the New Orleans Saints.
With around nine minutes to go in Week 8, the Patriots have a 30-13 lead over the Browns. With a win appearing to be inevitable, the Patriots will have five victories in a row and will improve to 6-2 overall and maintain first place in the AFC East.
Next on the docket for the Patriots are matchups against the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New York Jets. The Bucs are among the best teams in the NFC, but the Patriots will be heavy favorites against the Falcons and Jets.
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