It wasn't a pretty win, but the New England Patriots got back in the win column, improving to 5-3 after defeating the Miami Dolphins, 24-19. New England overcame a 13-3 first-half deficit. Starting quarterback Drake Maye led the way for the Patriots' comeback, finishing the day with 199 passing yards and three total touchdowns (two passing and one rushing).
After having three rough games to start the season, Maye has looked just like the quarterback who finished second in the MVP race last season, and the timing couldn't have been any more perfect. Maye's turnaround has been a big reason for the Patriots' winning ways, as New England has only lost one game in that time frame (with him still impressing despite the loss, throwing for 321 yards, recording three total touchdowns, and throwing just one interception).
Sunday's win was tough due to the injuries the Patriots have suffered on the offensive side of the ball and the weather. Even with all of the injuries, the third-year quarterback still impressed and showed he can elevate the roster around him.
Drake Maye is showing his value with recent play
So far this season, the injury bug has bitten the Patriots, and the results show in whom they missed against the Dolphins. Going into the game, New England was without its top three receivers, with both Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs on injured reserve and A.J. Brown out with a knee and ankle injury.
Also on the offense, the Patriots were down running back TreVeyon Henderson and the starting guards Mike Onwenu and Alijah Vera-Tucker, both of whom are on IR.
Things didn't get better during the game, as starting tight end Hunter Henry exited with a foot injury in the first half. Despite the injuries piling up, Maye still delivered when it mattered most.
This game perfectly demonstrated how great a quarterback Maye is by the fact that with so many injuries across the offense, he still was able to have a great game and elevate the players around him. Good quarterbacks can play well when they have the surrounding talent, but great quarterbacks can elevate the talent around them. What we saw from Maye shows why he is a great quarterback.
As great as it was watching Maye against Miami, hopefully the Patriots can get healthy with the playoffs approaching. If the Patriots want to compete, they'll need to get healthy, as it's not sustainable for their offense to survive without at least some of the regular starters.
Week 9 brings a more challenging opponent, as New England will host the 5-3 Green Bay Packers. Green Bay is coming off a strong win over the Carolina Panthers and will have some extra rest after playing on Thursday. Hopefully, the Patriots will have some extra support for Maye when they host Green Bay.
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