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Drake Maye

Texans Pummel Patriots, 41-21

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FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Houston’s QB C.J. Stroud threw for three touchdowns to lift the Texans to a 41-21 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon in Massachusetts.

Stroud completed 20 of 31 passes for 192 yards and was picked off once as Houston (5-1) spoiled Drake Maye’s first career start. Maye, selected third overall by New England in this year’s draft, finished with 243 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions on 20-of-33 passing.

Joe Mixon returned from a three-game absence to rack up 132 yards from scrimmage (102 rushing, 30 receiving) for the Texans. He rushed for a touchdown and caught another. Stefon Diggs was one of Stroud’s favorite targets, hauling in six catches for 77 yards and a score.

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After seeing its first five drives end in four punts and a pick, New England (1-5) came to life just before the break, pulling within 14-7 on Maye’s 40-yard scoring strike to Kayshon Boutte with 11 seconds left in the first half. It was Maye’s first career passing TD.

Momentum wasn’t on the Patriots’ side for long, though, as Maye fumbled on the first drive of the second half to set up Houston at the New England 10. Two plays later, Diggs hauled in a 10-yard touchdown to put the Texans up 21-7.

A 39-yard field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn extended the visitors’ advantage to 24-7 with 6:56 to go in the third quarter. Fairbairn drilled a 46-yarder just more than 1 1/2 minutes later.

Maye trimmed the Patriots’ deficit to 27-14 with one minute left in the third when he connected with Hunter Henry for a 6-yard TD.

Mixon (20 yards) and Dameon Pierce (54) sandwiched Maye’s 35-yard touchdown pass to DeMario Douglas with fourth-quarter scoring runs to forge the 41-21 final.

Douglas had six receptions for 92 yards and the TD.

Houston cut through the Patriots’ defense with ease on the game’s opening drive, an 11-play, 65-yard march that ended with Stroud’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Tank Dell.

Stroud made it 14-0 when he found Mixon for a 10-yard score with 3:13 left in the first quarter.

–Field Level Media

Patriots: Maye Putting In the Work

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England Patriots rookies – head coach Jerod Mayo and quarterback Drake Maye – spent a good deal of time together the past two days at the team’s rookie camp, with Mayo taking a level approach in his initial reviews.

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“Early impressions of Drake?” Mayo said Saturday. “He has a lot to work on. But I have no doubt he’ll put the work in.”

Maye, the Patriots’ first-round pick (No. 3 overall) from North Carolina, has not yet been named the starter but that’s widely expected to come this summer.

Until then, Mayo will watch closely and continue to challenge the 21-year-old quarterback.

“He has a lot to work on. A lot to work on …,” Mayo continued. “He was here all night trying to get on the same page as everyone else.”

While “all night” might be a stretch, Mayo underscored the importance of spending quality time with his rookies.

“We’ll be here ‘til 7, 8, 9 o’clock,” he said. “Go in for a lift, then we have some meetings.

“The best thing about mini-camp is being around the guys for the first time. We’re at the hotel together. We’re right across the hallway from each other, so we’ll watch the film and look at the scripts for the next day together. We’ve got nothing else to do up here. Why not focus on football?”

Among Maye’s future targets, wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk spoke highly when asked for his evaluation of Maye.

“Guy can sling it,” said Polk, New England’s second-round selection. “Very confident and vocal. He’s a leader.

“He’s setting the tone in practice, trying to get guys moving around and operating at a high level. This is new to all of us. We’re still learning and trying to get to know each other so everybody can get on the same page.”

Much of Maye’s early work centered on fundamentals.

“I’m trying out two new stances that I’m getting used to,” he said. “Just getting more reps at it. Footwork is huge. It’s something that’s not easy.”

Along with Mayo, Maye will lean on Mayo as well as New England offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, offensive assistant coach Ben McAdoo and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney.

“T.C. is talking to us during the meetings,” Maye said, “Coach Van Pelt will chime in when he needs to. (McAdoo) is awesome. All three of them know a lot of football.”

-Field Level Media