Morning Sports Update
“Honestly the fact that A.J. Brown is rejoining this offense should be terrifying because the fact that they’re doing this on those downfield throws and tight-window balls without him is crazy.”
Drake Maye during the Patriots’ win over the Raiders. AP Photo/Steven Senne
October 13, 2026 | 10:02 AM
3 minutes to read
Mina Kimes on Drake Maye’s performance: One of the clearest takeaways from the NFL in the last two weeks has been Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s return to form.
The 2025 NFL MVP runner-up looked downright bad in the first three weeks of the new season, unmoored from the confidence that propelled New England to a Super Bowl berth. Yet Maye has responded in the last two weeks with a statement win (in Buffalo against the Bills in Week 4) and a statement performance (in the rout of the Raiders at Gillette Stadium in Week 5).
NFL analysts who fell off the Maye bandwagon amid his early-season struggles have jumped back into doling out the compliments that became such a subplot of last season.
ESPN NFL analyst and writer Mina Kimes highlighted one specific element of Maye’s game during a Monday segment on “NFL Live.”
“Drake Maye yesterday, on 15-yard plus throws, six-for-nine for 182 yards. To get that kind of stat line, a few things have to happen,” Kimes said. “First and foremost, the protection. I thought whenever the running backs and tight ends stayed in to chip, I thought they did an excellent job.
“Caleb Lomu, the rookie tackle came in at one point. I thought he played really well,” said Kimes, noting New England’s protection remained strong even after left tackle Will Campbell exited the game with an injury.
“The receivers also making plays downfield, Kyle Williams emerging as a factor,” Kimes added.
“But also Drake Maye [looked] like he did last year, in so far as last year he was the most accurate deep-ball thrower in football, and that’s what he looked like,” she continued. “I mean some of those throws, the wheel-route to [Eli] Raridon, they might have been as close as you and I.
“That was insane,” Kimes added of the perfectly placed throw from Maye.
In her view, the return of Maye’s deep-ball passing demonstrates the quarterback’s resurgent confidence.
And looking ahead, the Patriots figuring out their vertical passing attack even as top wide receiver A.J. Brown remains sidelined with a high-ankle sprain is great news for New England (and less so for other AFC East opponents). Brown could return as soon as Sunday.
“Just the accuracy on some of those balls downfield. Talked about earlier in the season, wasn’t quite there on some of those throws,” Kimes said. “Honestly the fact that A.J. Brown is rejoining this offense should be terrifying because the fact that they’re doing this on those downfield throws and tight-window balls without him is crazy.”
Trivia: Other than Drake Maye, who is the only UNC quarterback to be picked in the first round of the NFL Draft?
(Answer at the bottom.)
Hint: He was selected by the Bears in 2017.
Scores and schedules:
Tonight, the Bruins face the Sharks in San Jose at 11 p.m.
Tomorrow, the Revolution face FC Cincinnati on the road at 7:30 p.m.
Also tomorrow, the Celtics host the Hornets in a preseason game at 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, Legacy FC play their final home game of the season at Gillette Stadium against Racing Louisville at 8 p.m.
And on Sunday, the Patriots host the Jets at 1 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Spotting the ham sandwich: After referencing that he had enough time in the pocket during the Patriots’ win over the Raiders that he could’ve theoretically been “eating a ham sandwich,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss kept the bit going into film study.
Catching up with Pedro: The legendary ex-Red Sox ace discussed the infamous dust-up with Don Zimmer.
On this day: In 2013, Boston sports experienced one of its finest days. In the Patriots-Saints game played on Sunday afternoon, Tom Brady connected with wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins for the winning touchdown with 10 seconds remaining in a 30-27 victory over the Saints, inspiring one of the more memorable Patriots radio calls.
In the evening, the Red Sox rallied from a 5-1 deficit with one swing of David Ortiz’s bat to eventually win Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Tigers, 6-5. As with the Patriots, the radio call of the moment remains iconic.
Daily highlight: Revisiting Sunday’s highlights one more time, here’s Cardinals tight end Trey McBride making a preposterous touchdown catch.
Trivia answer: Mitchell Trubisky
Hayden Bird
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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