Do you remember Drake Maye needing to play hero ball to get the UNC football program in the win column? It was required for North Carolina at the time, but it's harder to imitate in the NFL. Maye learned that lesson again, in a more forgiving environment, during New England's first preseason game of 2025.
Drake Maye only got two series in the Patriots' preseason opener, and his opening drive was delayed thanks to a romping kickoff return for a touchdown by rookie TreVeyon Henderson:
It's always easier to play with a lead, but it's still early days for New England, and the passing game's chemistry is still formulating.