New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye admitted he was sad along with his efficiency regardless of guiding his workforce to a 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers within the AFC wild-card spherical on Sunday.
Maye accomplished 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards, with one landing, one interception and one misplaced fumble. He additionally had one other fumble recovered by left guard Jared Wilson.
His first-half show, by which he went 6-of-15, represented his lowest completion proportion in any half this season.
“Wasn’t fairly, that’s for positive,” Maye stated. “However this protection was so enjoyable to observe. They gained the sport for us. I didn’t throw very effectively. Should be higher.”
“Simply received to be higher, whether or not it’s accuracy or ball placement or little issues, making selections sooner,” Maye stated. “Held on to the ball slightly bit. It wasn’t my finest, however that’s why you’ve got team-mates. These guys picked me up.”
The Patriots, now 15-3, will host the winner of Monday’s AFC wild-card sport between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans within the divisional spherical subsequent Sunday.
Regardless of his struggles, Maye produced the decisive second late within the sport, throwing a 28-yard landing move to tight finish Hunter Henry over the outstretched arm of security Derwin James Jr.
The rating prolonged New England’s result in 16-3 with 9:52 remaining and supplied respiratory room in a contest dominated by protection and discipline place.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel described the throw as “elite”. Maye was considerably sharper within the second half, finishing 11 of 14 passes for 173 yards and the landing.
Earlier, Maye had made his largest influence along with his legs, together with a 37-yard run late within the second quarter that arrange an Andy Borregales discipline aim to offer New England a 6-3 half-time lead.
He completed because the Patriots’ main rusher with 66 yards on 10 carries, marking the primary time in franchise historical past {that a} quarterback led the workforce in speeding throughout a playoff sport.
“I’ve received to offer credit score to Drake Maye,” Chargers security Derwin James Jr stated. “Each time we received him, he received again up. Each time he wanted a play, he used his legs.”
The Patriots’ protection held the Chargers to 207 complete yards and recorded six sacks, tied for the second-most in a playoff sport in franchise historical past.
It was solely the fifth time New England have gained a postseason sport whereas scoring fewer than 20 factors.
With the victory, Maye joined Tom Brady as the one Patriots quarterbacks prior to now 35 years to win their first profession playoff begin.
