The fourth-quarter meltdown by Drake Maye sent a little bit of a shock-wave through the football analysts from across the country.
Almost a bit unexpected, the New England Patriots tumbled dramatically on many national power-ranking fronts after Maye threw three interceptions in the fourth to fall against backup QB Drew Lock and the Seahawks in Week 1.
New England dropped from 6 to 10 in ESPN’s rankings, frittering away a 10-0 lead in the second half.
The fall from grace was the same at USA Today, right behind the Bengals and a notch ahead of another Week 1 loser, the Houston Texans.
Maye takes it on chin
Maye, of course, took immediate responsibility for the disaster.
“It’s unacceptable and I know we’ve got to get back to work. That wasn’t how I play football and how I want to represent my game and playing quarterback for the Patriots,” the QB said.
His coach was a little bit more understanding when assessing the blame.
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“You can’t get bored taking what they give you, and that goes for everybody,” Mike Vrabel said on Monday.
“Big fundamental emphasis here today, technique has got to improve, all these little things that can help you win football games. So, if the defense gives you something and the ball’s supposed to go somewhere, then put the ball there.”
Strange move upward
The one deviation came from Sports Illustrated. SI’s Conor Orr had New England at 11, but it’s how the Patriots got there that provided the head-scratching moment.
SI somehow had the defending AFC champs at No. 12 heading into the opening week. And with the loss, New England moved up a spot.
The AFC teams currently listed ahead of the Patriots in those rankings include: Buffalo, Kansas City, Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville and Cincinnati.
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