Patriots’ Maye turns ball over 3 occasions whereas hounded by Seahawks’ protection in Tremendous Bowl loss
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Drake Maye was a reliable and steadying power for the New England Patriots this season. The second-year quarterback by no means bought the prospect to be that when his group wanted him most within the Tremendous Bowl.
Maye was the NFL’s most correct passer in the course of the common season and completed second in MVP voting, however he was hounded by the Seahawks’ “Darkish Aspect” protection all through. He threw two landing passes, however was sacked seven occasions, had two interceptions and misplaced a fumble that led to a TD by Seattle in New England’s 29-13 loss on Sunday.
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Maye completed 27 of 43 for 295 yards and there have been few highlights earlier than he and the Patriots lastly discovered some traction within the third quarter. Left sort out Will Campbell gave up two of the sacks on Maye because the Seahawks despatched a number of blitzes to his aspect of the road.
Trailing 19-0 after his fumble arrange a landing go by Sam Darnold, Maye lastly bought a while to function within the pocket and threw a 35-yard TD go to Mack Hollins.
It introduced some life to the Patriots’ sideline.
Nevertheless it was short-lived.
Maye’s go supposed for Kyle Williams was picked off by Julian Love. The Seahawks added Jason Myers’ fifth discipline aim on their ensuing drive.
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Down 22-7, New England’s destiny was mainly sealed when Maye was picked off by Uchenna Nwosu, who returned it 45 yards for a rating.
The Patriots, who got here in averaging 18 factors per recreation within the playoffs, was held to 331 complete yards.
New England was denied a seventh Lombardi Trophy, which might have damaged a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers for essentially the most in NFL historical past. It was a thudding finish to a Cinderella-like season for the Patriots, who completed the common season 14-3 in coach Mike Vrabel’s first season — which got here off back-to-back 4-13 finishes.
The Patriots fell right into a 12-0 halftime gap and punted on eight of their first 9 drives. It will have been seven straight, however the closing one of many first half was a one-play kneel down.
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The 51 complete yards gained by the Patriots had been the fewest in a primary half within the final 35 tremendous Bowls.
It additionally marked the fifth Tremendous Bowl with no landing within the first half. Maye additionally grew to become first participant to be sacked thrice on the primary 4 drives of a Tremendous Bowl since Tom Brady in Tremendous Bowl 42 towards the New York Giants.
One of many causes Seattle’s protection was so efficient was it did an important job of holding New England’s offense in lengthy yardage conditions on third down. The Patriots needed to negotiate third downs of 9, 15, 17, 7 and 12 yards within the first half. They had been solely 2 of seven on conversions within the first half.
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