SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Drake Maye’s storybook sophomore season didn’t function a storybook ending.
As a substitute of capping off his breakout 12 months with a Lombardi Trophy in hand, Maye walked off the sector in noticeable agony as Seattle Seahawks-themed confetti rained down round him following a 29-13 thumping at Levi’s Stadium in Tremendous Bowl LX.
Minutes after the clock hit zero, a glassy-eyed Maye stepped to the postgame podium to clarify what went unsuitable with an offense that was shut out for the primary three quarters — one thing that hadn’t occurred in a Tremendous Bowl for the reason that Minnesota Vikings in Tremendous Bowl VIII (1973 season).
“It should harm and sting for some time,” Maye stated, “however that is what you join.”
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Maye accomplished 27 of 43 go makes an attempt in Tremendous Bowl LX for 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Nonetheless, the majority of that manufacturing got here in rubbish time as New England desperately tried to claw again into the competition. Excluding the ultimate body, Maye was 8 of 18 (44.4%) for 60 yards.
“Yeah, I believe there are performs that I will take into consideration for the following most likely seven months till we’re again in September taking part in the primary one,” he stated, reliving the worst defeat of his younger profession moments after it occurred.
When Maye and the Patriots lastly discovered a spark within the fourth quarter — scoring their first landing on a 35-yard go to Mack Hollins — they could not maintain the momentum. After New England’s protection pressured a Seahawks punt, Maye and the offense had a possibility to chop the deficit to inside a landing with simply over 10 minutes to play.
As a substitute, Maye threw interceptions on the following two possessions, together with a pick-six.
“These performs that may change the sport matter,” Maye stated. “In case you make them, you are celebrating. If not, you are sitting right here, , crying at a podium. That is a part of it. I do know the postseason is what you play for, and I do know we’ll be again — we’ll be again within the postseason.”
The postseason proved to be a unique animal for Maye and the Patriots. All through the common season, the younger quarterback was very good, placing himself within the MVP dialog after main the league in completion share, passer score and yards per try. Within the playoffs, these numbers dipped significantly, most notably along with his completion charge falling to 58.3%.
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A part of that decline might be attributed to Maye not being 100% wholesome, as he had been nursing a proper shoulder damage getting into the Tremendous Bowl. Maye advised reporters that “we shot it up” earlier than the sport to make it extra manageable, however added that he would not consider the damage affected his efficiency.
“I believe it could be arduous to say that,” he stated when requested if his shoulder restricted him. “It feels ok to be on the market. … Simply did not make performs tonight.”
Maye was clearly crushed by the loss, particularly given his function within the defeat with subpar play on the sport’s greatest stage. Nonetheless, he was fast to border the second as gas to get New England again to the postseason — and subsequent time, end the job.
“The losses, they harm,” he stated. “I believe you attempt to study if you win and bear in mind this sense if you lose. I do know there’s a variety of issues that you just want you had again, however it would solely make you stronger ultimately.”
