The Miami Dolphins playoff hopes stayed alive following a key week five victory over an AFC East rival, the New England Patriots. Following this scrappy win, in which the Patriots struggled to be consistent on offense once again, the Pats announced a key change at quarterback going forward. What decision did New England make?
Miami Dolphins Latest Victory Brings Change For Patriots
A QB change in New England: the Patriots are now planning to turn to rookie first-round pick Drake Maye to start Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, per source.
Maye now will join Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix as the fourth rookie quarterback to start this… pic.twitter.com/39CpcLBnRq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2024
The Miami Dolphins pulled out a hard-fought 15-10 win over the Patriots in Foxborough in week five. A fourth quarter field goal by Jason Sanders and a controversial stop from the Miami defense sealed the game for the visitors. The Miami Dolphins overcame special teams flubs and capitalized on numerous penalties charged toward the Patriots to improve to 2-3. Miami has struggled since their franchise QB, Tua Tagovailoa, suffered a concussion in week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.
The penalties were both caused by and affected the Patriots’ lackluster offense, an offense that has ranked last in pass yards per game and 31st in total yards per game this season. This integral loss for the Patriots has led to a potentially franchise-altering decision.
Drake Maye’s Capabilities
Drake Maye is a QB who made scouts’ jobs hard and risked the job of any head coach/GM who drafted him early. While sporting the build of a prototypical QB at six-foot-four with an explosive arm and pro-realistic running style, Maye’s 2023 collegiate season displayed the project that he is. Maye entered the draft as a redshirt sophomore. The 22-year-old quarterback displayed a gunslinger mentality surrounded by a questionable supporting cast (particularly offensive line) at the University of North Carolina.
With the ability to make nearly any throw, the problem arises with his willingness to attempt any throw. The decision-making and consistency of Maye raised many red flags and showed many tendencies in need of breaking by a coaching staff. Maye has the epitome of Boom/Bust potential and his fate now lies with the New England Patriots coaching staff.
History Of Dolphins-Patriots Rivalry
The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots have played each other 115 times since their first matchup in 1966. The Dolphins have bested the Pats, sporting a 62-53 win/loss record all-time in the matchup. The Patriots most illustrious quarterback, Tom Brady, ended his career with a 24-12 record against the Miami Dolphins, making them the only team he lost to more than 10 times.
Maye marks the Patriots’ sixth starting QB since the departure of Brady, and the second attempt at a first-round QB. New England drafted QB Mac Jones 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He had an ill-fated stint in New England. The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots are slated to face each other at Hard Rock Stadium in week 12. In all likelihood, it will be a matchup between franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and franchise hopeful Drake Maye. Both teams will look to salvage their season in the meantime.
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