New England brought back down to earth by Bolts.
After a very promising performance against Buffalo in Week 16, the Patriots came down hard against the LA Chargers.
The Drake-Down
This was an odd evaluation for Maye, as he was taken out of the contest only minutes into the game with a suspected concussion.
Despite clearing protocols and returning, this is one of my key concerns with Maye at the moment. He has to realise that despite being a rookie, he is the key to this team’s success and the future of the franchise.
He has to learnt to act accordingly, especially on a team going nowhere like this one. Taking unnecessary hits and putting himself in harm’s way is not okay, and he has to realise he is too important for that.
In the remainder of the game, Maye faced a 48.4% pressure rate and a receiving corps that struggle to win match-ups – outside of Pop Douglas, who had an 80% separation percentage this week. For reference the NFL average is 56.84%.
Maye hardly played perfect ball himself, as the pressure seemed to affect him in a way that it has not in previous weeks.
However the lack of talent is just not conducive for maximising a rookie passer’s talent.
Change may be afoot
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport, prior to this week’s game, Robert Kraft said that he would likely keep Jerod Mayo around in 2025, baring a calamity or losing the locker room.
However, two of the last three games have felt rather calamitous as a fan. Depending on what happens in the season finale, it could put Kraft in a spot where he feels compelled to make some big changes.
I would imagine that those changes would likely be at the coordinator level, as opposed to Mayo himself.
As I wrote about during the bye week, I would be reluctant to remove Alex van Pelt from his position, out of concern for impacting Maye’s development.
However, at this point, I would be surprised if defensive co-ordinator DeMarcus Covington is retained, given the poor play, lack of preparedness, and inability to make in-game adjustments.
I hate to call for anyone’s job, but it seems like the Patriots may have promoted Covington too early.
Hey, at least we have the number one pick in the draft now! Thanks, Giants!
