"But there were signs during that win against the Dolphins that this year might be different. Maye completed nineteen out of twenty-three passes, for two hundred and thirty yards, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another. The game's real highlight, though, came at the end, when the running back Antonio Gibson returned a kick ninety yards for a scoreand Vrabel chased him along the sideline in excitement."
"What stood out most was what now seems unremarkable: the quarterback playing up to increasingly lofty expectations, serenaded by chants of M.V.P.! Maye threw fewer of the spectacular deep throws that he has become known for, but that was a sign of growth: he seemed content to take the yardage that was given to him; nothing was forced. He completed his first eleven pass attempts of the night, and even after cooling off didn't turn the ball over once."
"Nothing has brought life back to Foxborough like the rocketing spirals Maye has been launching downfield. Last season, New England ranked thirty-first in explosive-pass rate, or how often a play gains at least twenty yards. They were thirtieth in that metric the season prior. Now Maye is considered one of the best in the league at long throws, Diggs is having a resurgence, and the team has developed a few of its other receivers into deep-ball threats."
Maye completed nineteen of twenty-three passes for two hundred and thirty yards, threw two touchdowns, and rushed for another. Antonio Gibson returned a kick ninety yards for a scoreand coach Vrabel visibly celebrated along the sideline. Since the loss to the Steelers, the Patriots have won eight straight and currently lead the AFC East with a strong chance for a first-round playoff bye. Maye displayed efficient decision-making, completing his first eleven attempts and avoiding turnovers while using mobility to evade pressure. The offense has regained explosive downfield passing, with Diggs resurging and additional receivers developing as deep threats.
Read at www.newyorker.com
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