Drake Maye puts Patriots playoff run into perspective ahead of Texans game: "There's 24 teams at home right now."
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is getting ready for a difficult task during a divisional round showdown at Gillette Stadium this weekend as he faces a Houston Texans defense that is widely considered one of the best in the NFL.
Maye met with reporters Wednesday afternoon for his weekly news conference, saying the team
"The thing about the Texans is what they do, they're good at. They do it a lot. They've got different ways, they play some man coverage, they play some zone. They've got eyes on the quarterback, eyes on creating turnovers," Maye said.
Though Maye struggled at times in the wild-card round against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, he still helped his team to a 16-3 win.
The second-year quarterback was 17 for 29 passing for 268 yards. He threw the game's only touchdown to Hunter Henry in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Maye also ran 10 times for 66 yards, including a key scramble just before halftime that set up a field goal.
Maye was also at his best as the game went on. In the second half, he was 11 for 14 for 173 yards.
Drake Maye vs. Houston Texans
The first start in Maye's NFL career came last season against the Texans.
Houston won, 41-21. Maye threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns, but also threw a pair of interceptions.
"That feels like 10 years ago. It's been a long journey. Just take some time to probably look back and see what the journey's been like. I know it's hard to do that at such a sped up time during the postseason where so many things are trying to do and finish and think about. But just take some time to reflect on running out there with the first-snap jitters was pretty cool. It's fun to look back on," Maye said. "Hopefully a different outcome from the game. Definitely take some time to appreciate where we've come, and how much work we have to do, especially myself."
"There's 24 teams at home right now"
The second-year quarterback said head coach Mike Vrabel put into perspective what's at stake for the team on Wednesday before practice got underway.
"There's 24 teams at home right now. There's eight of us still practicing, still working. He mentioned to us today before practice, take a look, raise your hand who was still practicing this time last year? I think Milton [Williams] was the only one. So, it was pretty eye-opening to see there's eight teams left, and just a chance, an opportunity we have to play a home football game, a home playoff game that matters at a time it matters most," Maye said. "So, just kind of reflect on that and realize the opportunity we have, and at the same time how much work we've done to get here. Enjoy it, and at the same time he just reminded us to take advantage of us and know we have a chance."
Drake Maye's "cult-like" following
A reporter asked Maye about how he has developed a "cult-like" following among fans in New England, and what he's done to handle that.
"Other than the cheers and stuff, just trying to give them something to cheer about more. Not thinking too much about it," Maye said. "I appreciate how the fans have embraced me and took me into new England as a southern kid. So just tried to enjoy it and try to give them something to cheer more about."
Earlier Wednesday, Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke to WBZ-TV in an exclusive interview. During the sit-down with sports director Steve Burton, Kraft called Maye "really special."
"I'll tell you what stuck out to me last year. It was pretty rough. And he only started I think two-thirds of the games. But after the games, games that we lost, he would go around the locker room and speak to the o-line and receivers," Kraft said. "And he's just got a humble demeanor that is team-oriented. And I credit his parents for his upbringing, that kind of humility. And he's genuine. And that means more than anything."
Sunday's game against the Texans is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Foxboro.