rookies

During Sunday’s matchup between the Patriots and Titans, Drake Maye’s return from concussion protocol added both excitement and tension. Right on his second snap, he scrambled for 26 yards, a gutsy move that had fans holding their breath after his recent injury. This time, though, he was more cautious, showing signs that he’s learned the importance of timing his slides to avoid risky hits. But Maye isn’t shying away from contact altogether; in some situations, he’s still willing to charge forward, taking hits strategically.

On defense, the Patriots’ young cornerback Christian Gonzalez faced off against star receiver Calvin Ridley, a high-profile matchup that showed the team’s confidence in Gonzalez’s lockdown abilities. While he held his ground with some impressive pass breakups, the Titans also found openings in New England’s defense by targeting the second level. Offensively, the Patriots continued experimenting with play designs, including screen passes to rookies like tight end Jaheim Bell and opportunities for Pop Douglas to showcase his skills in open space.