How Drake Maye Could Lead to an Arizona Rebellion – Boston Herald

Rested and ready to go.

The Patriots are back after their long-awaited bye week, hoping to chase a happy ending to what has been a tough season. At 3-10, quarterback Drake Maye has arguably been their lone bright spot, though reinforcements are on the way. Will that be enough to pull off an upset in Arizona?

The losers of three straight, the Cardinals (6-7) need a win to keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive. Quarterback Kyler Murray is both the driver and the engine of a well-balanced offense. Murray leans heavily on tight end Trey McBride and rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. as a passer, and has combined with veteran running back James Conner for more than 1,300 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, Arizona has been forced to get creative schematically to make up for the lack of talent, especially up front, where a lack of pass rush can save a leaky Patriots offensive line.

Can Maye and Co survive in the desert? Here’s what to look out for:

When the patriots run

Maybe this will finally be the week Maye runs city design?

Maye was seen running an option at the start of practice Thursday, a sign that the Patriots coaching staff may finally be willing to unleash him in their rushing attack. Running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson have carried the load most of the year, and especially of late in Gibson’s case. The fifth-year veteran has outscored Stevenson for a month in a row as Stevenson’s missed tackle numbers and explosive runs have plummeted.

Regardless of who is on the rock in Arizona, the Patriots need to crack a stout Cardinals run defense that has allowed more than 80 rushing yards once in the last six weeks. And as always, when the Pats need a tough yard or two, look for them to dig behind right guard Mike Onwenu.

When the patriots pass

After his best game of the season, Maye is ready for more.

He should find spacious pockets against an Arizona defense that doesn’t boast a single threatening pass rusher (second-year defensive lineman Dante Stills leads with 4.5 sacks). That said, the Patriots’ offensive line remains the worst pass-protecting unit in the league and could see more personnel shakeup after Cole Strange and Caedan Wallace practiced in full pads this week. If/when Maye has time, look for him to attack the center of the field.

Arizona ranks fifth-worst in the NFL in covering the short middle of the field by DVOA, which is nothing if not an invitation for slot receiver DeMario Douglas to go to work. Douglas ranks second on the team in catches and receiving yards behind only tight end Hunter Henry, who should have a tough matchup against Cardinals safety Buddha Baker. The six-time Pro Bowler is the heartbeat of Arizona’s defense with 81 tackles, two sacks and three pass breakups.

“It’s hard not to see Budda Baker on film,” Maye said this week. “He flies around. He’s a great player. They do a lot of different things and different fronts. They mix coverages, play a man and bring everything on top of you. You have a lot to prepare for and we have a tough challenge.”

When the Cardinals run

At 6-foot-1 and 233 pounds, James Conner brings a battering ram element to Arizona’s backfield. He has rushed for 863 yards and five touchdowns this season at 4.3 yards per carry. carry. Conner is on pace for career highs in rushing yards and attempts despite turning 30 in a few months.

“It’s been very impressive to see a guy at this age still run very hard,” Mayo said. “He’s tough, he can run between the tackles, he can run outside, he can run you over, he can run around you, so he’s a very good player.”

Expect the Cardinals to attack a Patriots run defense that has ranked among the league’s worst most of the season. That means Conner and Murray, who are a threat to run on scrambles and option designs. That will put extra pressure on cornerbacks like Anfernee Jennings, Yannick Ngakoue and Keion White who play across the defensive line.