The biggest difference between the two 2024 draft picks on Thursday was Maye’s second-quarter red-zone interception, which the Bears turned into a touchdown for a significant swing on the scoreboard.
Maye completed a season-high 77.4 percent of his passes (24-for-31) for 321 yards, two TDs and one INT. He also led the Pats with 26 yards rushing and another score. It’s Maye’s fourth career game completing at least 75% of his passes with multiple passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown, breaking a tie with Kyler Murray for the most such games by a player under the age of 25 in NFL history.
Beyond the INT, the third-year passer showed exemplary QB play.
“It felt like he was a little bit back and forth there for a while,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said. “Just watching Drake Maye play, he’s an outstanding player. It’s very hard to bottle him up. You only rush four, and he finds a way. If he doesn’t see anything down the field, to find an open gap and skirt on through. I think what’s really impressive is how he can find these little outlets and dumps where they’re still running vertical for catch-and-run opportunities. I think they had a number of those tonight. It’s really effective. You can tell he’s kind of caught his rhythm now in this part of the season and will probably continue to do that.
“Caleb, it was good to get him now two weeks in a row, finding some open receivers. I think I always feel more comfortable as a play-caller when we get a full week of practice so that I can see all these plays come to life in practice and we can talk through them a little bit more. So, for a short week, which we really haven’t had many of since I’ve been here together, I thought he did a great job.”
Williams’ return has straightened out the Bears (5-2) after a wobbly loss to Green Bay. When the QB is humming behind one of the league’s best offensive lines, Johnson’s offense is nearly unstoppable.
Thursday marked the second meeting between Williams and Maye. The 2024 No. 3 pick bested the No. 1 overall selection, 19-3, during their rookie years. On Thursday, Williams evened the record.
Who knows? Perhaps they can play the rubber match in Los Angeles in February.