What Patriots' Drake Maye learned during win at rainy Buccaneers stadium

Second-year New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye rebounded from early struggles to help his team secure a 28-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) on Sunday. The win at a rainy Raymond James Stadium improved the Patriots to 8-2 on the season.

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Maye as the betting favorite at +275 odds to win the 2025 Most Valuable Player Award. However, he revealed during a Monday appearance on Boston sports radio station WEEI that he left Florida believing he could have played better. 

How Drake Maye wants to improve after Buccaneers game

"I have to make better throws in the rain," Maye acknowledged, per Karen Guregian of MassLive. "I feel like I was still spinning it alright. I just have to make better throws on that first drive." 

Maye and Co. didn't appear too concerned during New England's first offensive drive of the game when the young signal-caller connected with Kyle Williams for a 72-yard touchdown on the final play of the opening quarter. Overall, Maye completed 16 of 31 passes for 270 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception against Tampa Bay. 

Drake Maye reacts to Mike Vrabel being aggressive at end of first half

New England was down 10-7 to Tampa Bay when the Patriots faced a fourth-and-goal at the Buccaneers' goal line with just two seconds left in the first half. Instead of settling for a chip-shot field goal, first-year Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel chose to keep his offense on the field. 

Maye threw a pass into the corner of the end zone for wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who made a highlight-reel catch to give the Pats a halftime lead.