**Drake Maye’s Deep Passing Fuels Patriots’ Momentum Ahead of Clash with Falcons**
*FOXBOROUGH, Mass.* — Drake Maye hasn’t been afraid to throw the ball deep down the field during his NFL career. One of the Patriots second-year quarterback’s first memories as a pro comes from one of his initial practices last season, when he connected on a deep pass with receiver Kayshon Boutte that beat cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
“You just remember things of throwing deep throws, seeing him come up on the right side of it and it just makes you want to keep going back to it. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Maye said.
In his sophomore season, Maye has embraced that ability to chuck it long. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he has completed 13 of 17 passes (76.5%) that traveled 20 or more yards in the air, logging five touchdowns along the way.
It’s a skill that has helped the Patriots (6-2) win five straight games and take a step forward under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ latest stint in New England. The timing couldn’t be better as the Patriots prepare to host the Atlanta Falcons (3-4), who boast the NFL’s top-rated passing defense this Sunday.
Through seven games, Atlanta is allowing only 149.1 passing yards per game. Meanwhile, Maye has passed for at least 200 yards in every game this season.
“He’s way better than I want him to be,” Atlanta defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said of Maye. “He feels like a mini Josh Allen, a younger Josh Allen, in a lot of ways: his mobility, his arm, the way he can take the game over in both facets of the game. So, he’s going to be — he’s a problem.”
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel noted that Maye’s confidence in airing it out has steadily increased since the preseason — a trend that starts with the trust placed in him by the coaching staff.
“I think he stays patient. I don’t think he panics and launches it or throws it seven yards out of bounds, but I think there’s been a lot of improvement from training camp and seeing some of those passes,” Vrabel said. “I don’t think there were as many completions in the preseason as there were in the regular season. I’m glad we saved them for the regular season.”
### Good Hands: Kayshon Boutte Shines
One of the main recipients of Maye’s deep balls has been Kayshon Boutte. A 2023 sixth-round draft pick by New England, Boutte is tied for the league lead with seven receiving touchdowns covering 20 or more air yards since 2024, alongside Ja’Marr Chase. Notably, AJ Brown, Quentin Johnston, and DK Metcalf each have six over that period.
### Injury Watch: Falcons’ Key Players Questionable
A major storyline this week is the availability of Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and top receiver Drake London. Both missed last week’s 34-10 loss to Miami. Penix sat out with a bone bruise on his left knee and was replaced by Kirk Cousins. London was inactive due to a hip injury.
Both players were limited in the Falcons’ first practice of the week and are considered day-to-day, according to coach Raheem Morris. However, Morris expressed optimism about Penix’s availability.
“Obviously, he feels better than he did last week,” Morris said. “He obviously feels better than he did every single day with it being a bone bruise. That stuff gets better every day, so I feel really good about him.”
### Battle on the Ground Could Be Key
While the Patriots may challenge the Falcons through the air, this game could be decided by the ground game matchup.
New England is the only team in the NFL this season not to surrender 50 rushing yards to an opposing running back through eight games.
Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson, tied for fourth in the league, is averaging 79 yards per game. This includes a season-high 170-yard performance during Atlanta’s Week 6 win over Buffalo.
“A Vrabel-coached team is always going to be great. They’re always going to play sound. They’re always going to play really fundamentally fast, and we’ve got to be ready and prepared for that,” Morris said.
As the Patriots and Falcons prepare to face off, all eyes will be on Maye’s deep throws and the ground battle that could shape the outcome of this pivotal matchup.
https://www.sunjournal.com/2025/10/31/patriots-drake-maye-faces-tough-test-against-falcons/