How Patriots rated rookie vs. Jaguars

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye didn't get much help after a fast start and ultimately suffered a 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Maye finished the season 26-for-37 for 276 yards and two touchdowns, dropping the Patriots to 1-6 on the season, including 0-2 in games starting with the third overall pick.

Here's how Maye performed in the competition:

HIGH MARKETS
Passing game downfield
It might seem like a few meaningless completions during a two-possession loss midway through the fourth quarter, but there was more to Maye's fourth-quarter touchdown drive. He threw a 32-yard completion to tight end Hunter Henry. He threw a 33-yard completion to Kayshon Boutte to the basket, marking the second time in as many weeks that the two were on the same page. And even though it didn't result in a touchdown, it did ensure that Maye caught one from KJ Osborn for a 22-yard touchdown three plays later. Maye's preseason and Week 6 start offered glimpses, but this possession confirmed that the Patriots have a legitimate downfield passing attack for the first time in years.

Play controlled
Maye appeared more confident and had better control of the offense, especially during New England's first two drives. He completed eight of his first ten passes, six of them during the first drive. He defeated the Jacksonville blitz on three straight snaps, with JaMycal Hasty making the catch-and-run that gave the Patriots a rare early lead. There were several times where Maye took advantage of what the defense gave him, an improvement from his first start. He hit a couple of short balls out of the backfield to Rhamondre Stevenson. Even his short finish to Hasty on third-and-15 was an example of getting it under control when nothing else was available in the field. Maye didn't force it. Even though some of these didn't rely on explosive plays, they still served as small victories and either got the offense moving in the right direction or prevented a mistake.

mobility
For the second time in as many weeks, no running back rushed for more distance than Maye. Disclaimer: No, this is not good for the offense. But it shows Maye's ability to avoid negative plays with his legs. Maye finished the game with three runs for 18 yards, including a 15-yard scramble on third-and-4 during New England's second scoring drive. It seemed like there weren't many designed runs for Maye, but that's not the quarterback's fault. Maye recorded two sacks despite being pressured nine times, confirming his improved mobility compared to previous years.

Make connections
Maye found a trusty target in Hunter Henry, who caught eight of the nine balls thrown to him for 92 yards. Henry led all pass catchers in receptions, targets and yardage. One might assume that DeMario Douglas (two catches, three scores, 14 yards) would have had something to say about not being limited by illness. But Maye's ability to connect with nine different pass catchers (!) was another positive sign. Wide receiver accounted for six catches for 87 yards. Ja'Lynn Polk was the only one who saw a target and didn't catch a ball from Maye, and that was because the second-round rookie had two balls in hand and couldn't catch either of them.

IMPROVED MARKINGS
Sales
Maye turned the ball over three times in his starting debut against the Houston Texans in Week 6. It was by far the most disappointing part of his game, although one of his two interceptions could be attributed to incredible defensive play rather than Maye's error. Regardless, Maye didn't turn the ball over against the Jaguars. While targeting Austin Hooper, he managed a near-interception, although it appeared it was due to a miscommunication with the tight end.

Overcoming the lack of running game
Do you know what would have helped a rookie quarterback? When the offensive line blocks in the run game and the running backs find positive yards on the ground. That didn't happen. The Patriots totaled 38 rushing yards on 15 attempts, averaging 2.5 yards per carry against the Jaguars. And that hasn't happened in two games. New England rushed for 120 yards on 41 attempts (2.9 per carry) in Maye's first two starts. That's awful.

OVERALL grade: B+