FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — As the New England Patriots shifted to the two-minute drill, their rookie quarterback settled in.
Drake Maye knew this collection of calls. He knew that the Houston Texans were playing man coverage and creeping toward him. And the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft knew that the receiver he’d warmed up with until the final substitution for his first series had asked for a shot.
So Maye exploited the Texans’ belief that his first-quarter interception had quieted the downfield passing game. He exploited the separation he trusted Kayshon Boutte to find against another third overall pick, cornerback Derek Stingley.
Dropping back in a pocket cleaner than most Patriots pockets this year, Maye sailed a 40-yard touchdown to Boutte’s back shoulder.
“I felt like in this group, we can push the ball down field and make plays in the passing game,” Maye said. “Tried to let one ride and give …