Patriots look unrecognizable, finally call that Drake Maye game | NickNacks

Where has this New England Patriots team been all year? With New England coming in as huge underdogs, the NFL shocked by going up by 14 points early. That is the obvious note from Sunday’s game.

But don’t let that distract you from offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt finally calling the kind of play for Drake Maye that fans (and media) have been clamoring for all year.

Here are some observations and nuggets (AKA NickNacks) I came up with while watching the first half of Sunday’s game between and the Buffalo Bills.

— The first half’s most fascinating play-call didn’t even make it into the box. It would be a designed quarterback run in the red zone, with Maye faking a pass and taking off running. It’s exactly the type of game fans and media have been asking for. That’s the type of game Jerod Mayo had some trouble talking about last week.

— It didn’t work. Maye didn’t gain any yards. On top of that, Austin Hooper was called to hold. Still, it was pretty remarkable that the Patriots decided to call Maye’s number on a run. They’ve clearly been trying to avoid it all year.

— Wow, now that’s a bold call. The Patriots called a fake punt at their own 23-yard line — and got it! That’s the kind of aggression you need if you really want to take it to a heavily favored rival.

— Temperatures were around 14 degrees at kickoff in Buffalo — with wind chills dropping into the single digits. Now it’s December football!

— Maye “took a page out of Josh Allen’s playbook,” according to broadcaster Ian Eagle. The rookie threw up a pass that initially looked bad. But that drew a pass interference flag from an out-of-position Bills defender. It looked like a really savvy play by Maye.

— That same drive, Maye threw an absolute dime of a pass to Kayshon Boutte down the sideline for a 28-yard touchdown. We’ve seen some really nice deep balls from Maye to Boutte this year.

— Maye repeatedly bailed out the Patriots when they were behind the sticks on 3rd-and-lond. He was nothing short of brilliant in this one.

— The Patriots were 0-for-6 last week in Arizona. They were 4-for-4 on third downs in the first quarter in Buffalo. What a world of difference a week makes.

— The offensive line did just enough to keep things in check. There were plays where a guy will get burned or commit a penalty (looking at you, Demontrey Jacobs). But they held together just well enough to get things going early.

— Rhamondre Stevenson reminded us why he is one of the best players on the roster. He was absolutely unstoppable on his 14-yard touchdown run.

— Maye was bailed out by the refs on 1st-and-goal. Tipped the ball out weakly on a scramble. He didn’t get back to the line. It would have been generous to describe Hunter Henry as “in the area.” It probably should have been called intentional grounding

— It feels like the Patriots give up a huge running game at least once a week. This time it was a 46-yard touchdown run by James Cook. Marte Mapu got lost in traffic. They really missed Jabrill Peppers on that play.

— Yes, Marte Mapu! No, Marte Mapu! The second-year defensive back made a great play by picking off a pass from Josh Allen in the end zone. He made a bone-headed decision by trying to return it instead of kneeling down. It seemed like even he knew he was getting it. The safety threw the ball out of frustration after the play.

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