1) Drake Maye stares down the most valuable of company
The Patriots sit at 5-2 in sole possession of first place in the AFC East entering Week 8, largely thanks to the play of 2nd-year quarterback Drake Maye. It’s the Patriots’ best start to a season since Tom Brady‘s final season in New England in 2019, and Maye’s recent string of performances are approaching that of his MVP predecessor.
Maye has thrown for at least 200 yards and posted a passer rating of 100-or-better in each of his last 6 games. That is tied with Hall of Famer Dan Marino, who did so in his 1984 MVP season, for the 2nd-longest streak by any player prior to turning 24 years old. Patrick Mahomes‘ streak of 7 such games in his 2018 MVP season is the longest by any player under 24, which Maye can tie in Week 8 against the Browns.
Maye can also become just the 5th player, 6th instance, with at least 200 passing yards and a 100 passer rating in at least 7 consecutive games within a season. He would join Aaron Rodgers, who did so in his 2020 and 2011 MVP seasons, Tom Brady in his 2007 MVP season, Hall of Famer Peyton Manning‘s 2004 MVP season and Mahomes in his 2018 MVP campaign.