The first two quarters of their Week 17 game against the Buffalo Bills saw the New England Patriots play competitive football in all three phases. After taking a 14-7 lead into the half, however, things started to fall apart for one primary reason: turnovers.
The Patriots’ first three possessions of the second half all ended in a giveaway. Quarterback Drake Maye had an active hand in two of those plays.
First, the rookie passer threw an interception in the red zone intended for tight end Austin Hooper. Shortly thereafter, he threw a backwards pass that running back Rhamondre Stevenson was unable to haul in; the play ended up as a Buffalo recovery for a touchdown, and went into the books as a fumble by Maye.