Drake Maye finally put the Patriots on the scoreboard with a clutch 7-yard touchdown run, sparking some life into what was a seriously stagnant first quarter for New England. Before that play, the Patriots had punted twice and turned the ball over on downs on their first three possessions. Yeah, it was rough.
From Stagnation to Scramble: The Drive That Got Them Going
The second quarter kicked off with a totally different vibe for New England. They marched 74 yards in nine plays, capped off by Maye taking it in himself from the 7-yard line on a scramble. That put the Patriots on the board, cutting the deficit to 10-7. Maye was finding his stride during that drive, going 8-of-10 for 76 yards. Those tight ends were also making plays, with Hunter Henry snagging a 16-yard catch and Eli Raridon reeling in a 15-yard reception to power the attack.
Vrabel’s Red Flag Flipped The Script For Maye
This touchdown was no walk in the park, though. Officials initially ruled Maye down inside the 1-yard line, which would have been a massive gut punch after such a good drive. But Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was having none of it. He threw the red challenge flag, and after a tense review, replay reversed the call to a touchdown! Maye had clearly stretched the ball across the goal line. That challenge by Vrabel was huge, absolutely flipping the script for the Patriots and ensuring they got the full seven points they deserved.
New England is still battling, trailing 10-7, but that touchdown was HUGE. It showed some real fight, some real grit, especially after how the first quarter went down. This game is far from over, and with Maye finding his rhythm, anything can happen.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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