USATI

Drake Maye is making his first NFL start on Sunday and a big key for the Patriots is going to be keeping the game simple for him.

Running the football effectively is the best way to help him but quick three step passes, quick give step passes and moving the pocket for him are also ways to help him get into a rhythm and get comfortable.

Normally we do offense and defense for our Patriots game plan but today we are sticking with Maye and the offense.

Here are some ways the Patriots can help Drake Maye today in the passing game in his first NFL start.

Diagram 1 Three-Step passes: Three step pass plays like this spacing concept out of bunch are a great way to get the ball out of Maye’s hand quickly and get into a rhythm. The Houston pass rush is among the best in the NFL. DeMeco Ryan’s defenses through the years have done traditionally well against rookie quarterbacks.

In Week Two, they sacked Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams seven times. The Patriots offensive line and Maye will face a stiff test. One of the ways to help both parties is to get the ball out quick.

I would expect out of quick three and quick passes today out of multiple, compressed formations.

Diagram 2 & 3: Bootlegs: Moving the pocket for Maye is important because not only will it get him away from the Houston pass rush, it will also give him a run, pass option and it splits the field in half.

Bootlegs are a big part of the West Coast offense. Always have been. Look for Alex Van Pelt to run more of them now as he tries to get Maye on the edge and get him using his feet more.

Diagram 4: Play-Action passes: Play-action could be tougher with Rhamondre Stevenson out on Sunday. Despite Stevenson’s absence, the Patriots will still commit to running the football, especially early on. If they can establish the run game, it will open things up in the play-action passing game to take shots down field. Maye is most comfortable in the play action operating out of the shot gun. Look for some early gun play action passes as the Patriots try to get him into the flow of things early.

Diagram 5: RPO’s: We haven’t seen a lot of RPO’s out of this offense so far whether it be OTA’s, camp, the preseason or the regular season. Run pass options were a big part of Maye’s game at North Carolina so do not be surprised if the Patriots incorporate more of them moving forward, especially today.

Diagram 6: Sprint out passes: Sprint out is a big part of the west coast offense passing game so expect the Patriots to sprint out Maye a bunch moving forward. It cuts the field in half, makes the read easy and it gets him away from pressure.

Diagram 7: Quick screens: One of the ways to beat a pressure defense like Houston’s is quick screens. Get the ball out of Maye’s hands quick. Look for the Patriots to use a lot of different quick screens early in the game to get the ball out.