Mike Vrabel has made it clear to his gamers that he gained’t draw back from calling them out about issues they should appropriate.
He additionally doesn’t need to miss a chance to reward them.
“Give all of them sport balls on me!” Vrabel shouted as he wrapped his postgame speech within the locker room following the Patriots’ 25-19 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
It was New England’s third consecutive victory, one thing the Patriots (4-2) haven’t achieved since 2022. It additionally improved their highway mark to 3-0, which Vrabel stated his younger group ought to rejoice.
“I feel that there’s an excellent steadiness that may be had from these guys nonetheless understanding that they will play higher and so they can do some issues,” Vrabel stated. “So, there’s great things, after which I simply need them to have the ability to embrace that, then take pleasure in that after which perceive that there’s one other problem on the highway right here this week once more.”
Second-year quarterback Drake Maye has performed at an elite stage in the course of the streak. He threw for a season-best three touchdowns at New Orleans, and it was his third straight sport with out an interception.
“I feel it’s making an attempt to show again and again that you just’ll be constant, and doing that, you’ll know to be good with the soccer,” Maye stated.
How issues are coming collectively offensively isn’t a shock to Maye’s teammates.
“I do know what he can do, he’s been balling and doing his factor. And that confidence is rising,” receiver DeMario Douglas stated. “The group is behind him, and you may see it — how we play for him, get open for him, and make life simpler for him.”
What’s working
There may be clearly a whole lot of rapport between Maye and his receivers. He unfold the ball round to seven gamers on Sunday.
“I feel Drake trusts all of us. I feel that’s the most important factor … the quarterback trusting his receivers to make performs,” stated Kayshon Boutte stated, who had 5 catches for 93 yards and a season-high two touchdowns. “Generally we’re not open, and when protection is clouded, he (makes) performs himself. We belief that he can run with the ball and get the primary (down), and he did get a pair firsts in vital conditions.”
What wants assist
Late-game self-discipline. Main 25-16 with simply over 10 minutes remaining within the fourth quarter, the Patriots have been whistled for 3 straight penalties. An unlawful shift on operating again Rhamondre Stevenson worn out an 8-yard reception by Mack Hollins. Morgan Moses was then referred to as for a false begin. Lastly, an offensive go interference name on Stefon Diggs negated his 51-yard seize on the sideline on third-and-17.
Replenish
Maye’s efforts in opposition to the Saints put him in elite firm. He and Tom Brady are the one gamers in Patriots historical past with three-plus video games of 200-plus passing yards, two passing touchdowns and a 135-plus passer score in a single season. Brady did it in 2010 (three video games) and 2007 (4 video games).
Inventory down
Penalties proceed to be a problem for New England. The Patriots have been referred to as for 11 infractions, costing them 65 yards. For the season, they’ve an NFL-high 54 penalties.
Accidents
Linebacker Harold Landry and cornerback Carlton Davis acquired therapy on the sphere, however each returned. Cornerback Marcus Jones additionally acquired consideration on the sphere within the second half.
Key quantity
5 — Maye joined Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott and Dan Marino as the one quarterbacks age 23 or youthful to have 200-plus passing yards and a 100-plus passer score in 5 consecutive video games.
Subsequent steps
The Patriots have a chance to enhance to 4-0 on the highway after they go to Tennessee (1-5) on Sunday. Will probably be Vrabel’s first sport in opposition to the group coached from 2018 to 2023. On Monday, the Titans fired Vrabel’s replacement, Brian Callahan.
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