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Drake Maye lit up Foxborough early in Week 15, racing into the end zone twice on the ground and forcing the Bills to chase the game from the outset. The rookie signal-caller’s early success set the tone for New England and triggered fresh MVP talk across social channels.
Maye’s quick-strike performance and first-quarter impact
On New England’s opening possession, Maye turned a short scramble into a touchdown that stunned the crowd.
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He followed that with another rushing score before the quarter ended, giving the Patriots a commanding start.
First-quarter numbers that mattered
- Passing yards: 67 through 15 minutes.
- Rushing yards: 32, including two touchdown runs.
- Rushing touchdowns: Matched his total for the entire season before kickoff.
How New England widened the gap
The Patriots kept applying pressure after Maye’s early heroics.
Rookie back TreVeyon Henderson broke a big play to extend the lead. His 52-yard touchdown sprint beat the Bills’ defenders to the sideline and stretched the score even further.
- Maye’s mobility opened lanes for the running game.
- Henderson’s long run punished Buffalo’s pursuit angles.
- The early offensive balance allowed New England to control the clock.
Fan response and the MVP conversation
Social feeds filled with praise, and a wave of support for Maye’s MVP candidacy followed his early exploits.
Users pushed bold takes and playful chants, arguing Maye deserves top honors after another standout outing.
- Some called for immediate MVP recognition.
- Others turned the moment into memes and rallying cries.
- Media commentators noted the young QB’s poise under pressure.
What this means for the AFC East and playoff positioning
The victory, fueled by Maye’s early scores, reinforced New England’s grip atop the division.
With the lead in the AFC East and the tiebreaker over Buffalo, the Patriots hold a two-game cushion in the standings.
- New England entered Week 15 tied with Denver for the NFL’s best record.
- The club arrived with a league-long winning streak, unscathed since their Week 3 setback.
- Control of the division now sits squarely with the Patriots.
Maye’s season trajectory
This game marks a turning point in how opponents view him.
Before today, his rushing TD count had been modest. He reached that number again in just one quarter against Buffalo.
Coaches and analysts will study how his mobility and decision-making open possibilities for New England’s offense.
