6. Pats Offense Keeps Piling Up Yardage
The Patriots offense continued their strong first half on their fourth possession, with Maye leading the best drive of the day that he finished off with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper to give New England back a 16-14 lead, the third lead change of the half.
Stevenson and Antonio Gibson were particularly effective on the drive as New England continued to reel off successful plays one after the next. On one three-play stretch, the running backs had gains over 10 yards as New England quickly moved down the field and within scoring range.
This time the Pats overcame their red zone struggles with Maye’s strike to Hooper. This was the most effective the Patriots offense has looked all season long with four straight scoring possessions to open the game. The drive mimicked the Colts’ scoring drives, lasting eight plays and 70 yards.
After the Pats defense forced their first punt of the game, the offense got another possession before halftime. Maye continued his impressive first half, overcoming a Layden Robinson holding penalty by throwing a dime to Kendrick Bourne that picked up 16 yards and a new first down.
Then Maye overcame a Tre Jacobs holding penalty with a 29-yard completion to Kayshon Boutte that took New England to the Indy 11.
But for a third time the Patriots drive would flame out in the red zone, with Slye missing the 25-yard field goal. The Patriots offense had one of their best halves of the season, but it was still punctuated by multiple holding calls. Maye was 17-of-20 for 169 yards and a touchdown in the first half, while the Patriots offense posted an impressive 279 yards of offense.