Drake Maye Set to Make Highly Anticipated First Start for New England Patriots Against Texans

The New England Patriots are gearing up for a significant change in their lineup as rookie quarterback Drake Maye is set to make his first NFL start in Week 6 against the Houston Texans. This decision comes after the Patriots’ struggles on offense, which have led to a 1-4 start to the season. Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, replaces veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett in an effort to spark the team’s stagnant offense.

Maye faces a daunting task in his debut, as he will be up against one of the league’s most formidable defenses. The Texans boast a pass rush that pressures quarterbacks more frequently than any other team, with a 42% pressure rate and an 8.6% sack rate. They also rank third in pass yards allowed per game and fourth in pass yards allowed per play.

The Patriots’ offensive line, which has been one of the weakest in the league, will be crucial in protecting Maye. Players like Vederian Lowe and Demontrey Jacobs will need to contain the Texans’ edge rushers, including Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, who have combined for 42 pressures this season.

Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt believes that Maye’s development over the last few weeks gives the team the best chance to win. However, the challenge is significant, especially considering Maye’s performance under pressure in college. While Maye had a 91.7 passing grade when kept clean in college, his grade dropped to 61.3 when pressured. The translation of this success to the NFL is uncertain, as seen with other rookie quarterbacks who struggled to maintain their college form under pressure.

In a simulation of the upcoming game, Maye’s presence showed promise, even though his numbers were not spectacular. He completed 23 of 33 passes for one touchdown and one interception, leading the Patriots to a close 21-20 loss. This performance was more encouraging than the simulation with Brissett, which resulted in a 21-6 loss.

With starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson out due to injury, Antonio Gibson is expected to be a key player in the offense, providing both rushing and receiving support. Rookie receiver Ja'Lynn Polk is also anticipated to play a significant role in the receiving corps.