Patriots QB Drake Maye delivers his best game yet amid ‘MVP’ chants at Gillette Stadium

FOXBORO, Mass. — Drake Maye claimed he didn’t hear the chants. He claimed his teammates were too busy busting his chops in the huddle over an awkward slide. He acted like it was totally normal for most of the fans in the stadium to be proclaiming their appreciation for New England’s second-year quarterback through those three letters.

“M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P!”

But here’s the thing. Maye is making absurd things commonplace with the Patriots again. In a stretch of incredible games, his latest performance might’ve been the best yet.

That’s because Sunday was when Maye’s hot start was supposed to cool off a bit. The Cleveland Browns had the best defense in the league. Their defensive line is absurd. Some regression would have been natural.

Instead, Maye shook off a slow start to put together another MVP-caliber performance in a 32-13 rout of the Browns, completing 18 of 24 passes for 282 yards (while adding another 50 on the ground), three touchdowns and his first interception in 19 quarters of football. His play is the biggest reason the Patriots are 6-2, have won five straight (the longest active winning streak in the NFL) and sit atop the AFC East.

A month ago, Maye’s performances were framed as impressive for a second-year quarterback, someone often compared to the other quarterbacks in his draft class: Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix. As Maye continued to impress, he was likened to other talented young quarterbacks. Now, Maye is in the company of the very best in the entire NFL.

At this point, how many new ways are there to write that Maye is doing incredible things on the football field that have turned the Patriots from a franchise that was rebuilding just two months ago to one now in the running for the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a playoff bye?

“A lot of people have that second-year slump, but there ain’t no slump with him,” wide receiver DeMario Douglas said. “I pray that he keeps taking that step forward because he could be one of the greats. We had 12 already here: Tom. I’m not going to do any comparisons, but I’m proud of him.”

In the same way that it’s difficult to pick out Maye’s best attribute (Is it his deep ball? His athleticism? His ability to throw on the run?), it can be hard to pick out his best game of the season.

But there’s a strong case to be made that it was Sunday’s.

That’s because this was his biggest test yet. The Browns came in at 2-5. Offensively, they’re not great. But that defense is. That’s why the thought coming into Sunday was that the Patriots might have to grind out a win. Play ugly football. Run the ball.

On top of that, Maye’s offensive line struggled. Or, rather, Myles Garrett dominated — to the tune of five sacks. It’s rare to see a game where a defense notches six sacks and gets torched the way Maye lit up the Browns.

In the second half, he completed all eight passes he attempted for 114 yards and three touchdowns.

“It’s been really cool to see the difference from last year to this year,” Maye said after explaining that he didn’t hear the fans’ MVP chants. “Man, it’s been a journey. The fans have been through it the last couple years.”

Each week, there’s another round of wild stats and crazy company that Maye joins with another impressive list of achievements. The latest? On Sunday, he became the fifth quarterback to record 200 or more passing yards with a passer rating of 100 or better in seven straight games. The only others to do that are Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes.

Maye also became the first Patriots quarterback (surpassing Brady) to post five games in a single season with 200 or more passing yards, a passer rating of 135 or better and two or more passing touchdowns.

He became the second Patriots quarterback (Matt Cassel was the other) to post 250 or more passing yards, 50 or more rushing yards and three passing touchdowns in a single game.

All of which is a long way to say Maye is in elite company.

“He’s hooping,” safety Jaylinn Hawkins said. “I’m proud of him. I like the way he’s playing.”

Of course, this might’ve been the end of the easiest stretch of the season for the Patriots. They wrapped up a trio of games against the Saints, Titans and Browns. Tougher tests loom. Atlanta is next week. Tampa Bay the week after that.

But for a young quarterback, a game against the Browns’ defense is a big ask. And, Garrett notwithstanding, Maye made it look easy.

That’s why the MVP chants rained down. And if he keeps playing like this, they’re not likely to go away.

Each week, Maye gets together with his wide receivers to go over plays they like and ensure everyone is on the same page. In the lead-up to Sunday’s game, Kayshon Boutte decided to have a little fun with his quarterback and started referring to Maye as “MVP.”

“He doesn’t like to hear it,” Boutte said, “but I think it’s the truth.”

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