FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye beat the Los Angeles Rams’ blitz to maintain the workforce’s second drive alive, after which completed it off with a 10-yard landing go to receiver Kendrick Bourne.
Kendrick Bourne is again for the @Patriots!
📺: #LARvsNE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/cuQS1SZ7WG— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024
The play gave the Patriots a 7-0 lead over the visiting Rams and would not have been doable if Maye did not convert on third-and-7 from the Patriots’ 40-yard line.
The Rams introduced stress on the third-down play, and Maye stepped up within the pocket to seek out receiver DeMario Douglas for a 28-yard acquire. It was the one third-down play of the drive, which lined 77 yards and lasted 3:34.
Maye’s calm below stress to open the sport was spectacular, as that is simply his sixth NFL begin. However he did not face stress on the landing go to Bourne, because it was a four-man rush and Maye stepped up in a clear pocket to seek out Bourne on a slant in the long run zone.
Bourne, the eight-year veteran, did not play final week as a result of the Patriots have a logjam at receiver. However he introduced his presence early on Sunday.
In accordance with ESPN Analysis, the Rams blitzed Maye on 5 of 9 dropbacks (56%) via two drives. They entered Sunday blitzing on 27% of dropbacks this season. Maye was 4-of-5 for 47 yards when blitzed via two drives.
