FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake May has been the most accurate starting quarterback in the NFL this season.
He also had a knack for deflecting any praise he received during the Patriots' run to their first AFC East title since 2019.
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But after being instrumental in leading New England to one of the best single-season records in league history after 38-10 win over Miami.The sophomore quarterback may soon be honored with something that will be hard to shrug off: being selected as the NFL's MVP.
“He's done everything we've asked him to do and continues to get better. He's not satisfied,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said. “So, I know that our success where we are today has a lot to do with Drake May.”
Maye finished the regular season with a completion percentage of 72.0, the highest in team history and sixth-best in NFL history. He improved on Tom Brady, who had a 68.9 completion percentage in 2007. It was also the last time a Patriots quarterback led the NFL in completion percentage.
MVP that season? Brady.
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While May cited his team's 14 wins and 8-0 road record as accomplishments he's proud of this season, he also noted the team's ability to get multiple players involved in the offense. While coaching and scheme certainly play a role, it largely depends on the quarterback's play.
“I think that’s one of the hardest things about the way we defend,” May said. “And that’s probably what I’m most proud of.”
May also inspired the teammates around him.
Even before he signed with the Patriots this offseason, wide receiver Stefon Diggs noticed something from afar.
“I just knew they had a good young quarterback. Not to say he had a promising future, but it certainly looked like it,” Diggs said. “We played them last year when I was in Houston and I thought, 'This guy's got something there.' You never know when they will become very young.”
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Maye is now 23 years old and could become the league's youngest MVP since Lamar Jackson won it at age 22 during the 2019 season.
“I told everyone who said anything in the locker room: ‘This is us. It’s not just me, it’s us in the locker room.” I think it's really a team deal. They say player, but I think winning helps that,” May said. “Obviously a lot of players have had some great seasons in the league and that's a great honour. But at the same time we have some work to do.”
What works
The Patriots have shown they can run the football this season. They finished third in the AFC, averaging 128.9 yards per game on the ground. Among AFC playoff teams, it ranks second behind Buffalo (159.6).
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Moreover, the Patriots enter the playoffs with two scoring options in running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson. Stevenson missed three games with a toe injury but finished with seven rushing and two touchdowns. This is the fourth time in his five seasons that he has scored at least five rushing touchdowns.
Henderson ranked fifth in the AFC, averaging 5.1 yards per carry with nine touchdowns. Four of his touchdown runs were over 50 yards, highlighting his ability to impact the game at any time.
What needs help
New England's defense started strong and then was pushed aside in the second quarter, during which the Dolphins scored 10 points and were within 17-10 at halftime in what Vrabel called a “lull.” The good news is that the defense threw an interception to break up the Dolphins' first drive of the second half and forced five consecutive punts to end the game.
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Stock up
With a 34-yard catch late in the third quarter, Diggs eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards (1013) for the seventh time in his career. This is the first 1,000-yard season by a Patriots receiver since 2019, when Julian Edelman had 1,117 yards.
Stocks fell
Special teams. Late in the second quarter, Andy Borregales kicked a 38-yard field goal blocked by Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler. Miami's Riley Patterson kicked a 52-yard field goal to give the Dolphins a 14-10 lead.
Injuries
LB Harold Landry III (knee) missed his second straight game. … LB Robert Spillane (ankle) missed the last four games. … LG Jared Wilson (concussion protocol) missed his second straight game. … D.L. Hiris Tonga also sat, continuing to struggle with a foot problem.
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Key number
3 – Vrabel joins George Seifert (1989 with San Francisco) and Jim Caldwell (2009 with Indianapolis) as the only coaches to win 14 games in their first season with a team. That season, Seifert's 49ers defeated the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. Caldwell's Colts lost the Super Bowl to New Orleans.
Next steps
The Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. This will be New England's first home playoff game since a 20-13 loss to Coach Vrabel's Tennessee Titans in the wild card round of the 2019 season.
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