Morning Sports Update

Maye made his NFL debut in the final drive of the Patriots’ blowout loss to the Jets.

Drake Maye completed 4 of 8 passes in his NFL debut. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Drake Maye on possibly being the Patriots’ starting quarterback: Jerod Mayo threw a pair of surprises at the quarterback position in the Patriots’ 24-3 loss to the Jets on Thursday night.

First, the Patriots coach put Drake Maye into the game for the team’s final possession, replacing Jacoby Brissett after the veteran and the offense struggled for much of the night. Then, Mayo wouldn’t say who the Patriots’ starting quarterback would be in Week 4, telling reporters, “I don’t know.”

If Maye is named the starter, the rookie has already gotten himself ready for the occasion. 

“Yeah, I think that’s kind of what I’m doing week in and week out. Be ready when my name is called,” Maye told reporters following Thursday’s loss, via MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “When my number is called – go out there and try to make some plays. I’ve been preparing like I’m the starter.”

Maye is cognizant though that if he does start, Brissett will be relegated to a backup role. He gave the veteran props for his leadership and how he hung in there on Thursday as he was sacked five times. 

“I’ve been there for Jacoby,” Maye said. “He battled tonight. What a – he kept getting up every time. Kept jogging off. Encouraging the guys on the sideline. He made some great throws tonight.”

The hits kept on coming for the Patriots even when Maye was in the game. Maye was sacked twice and was on the receiving of a hard tackle when he scrambled for a short run. The second sack was the Patriots’ final play of the night, with the rookie getting taken down after driving his team to the Jets’ 7-yard line.

Maye said that it “felt pretty good to get a hit under my belt,” but he harped over the sack on the final play of the game.

“I can’t take stupid sacks,” Maye said. “We were trying to get the quick game, trying to get the ball out, and I can’t take sacks in that situation.”

There were good moments though from Maye during his late-game cameo. He completed 4 of 8 passes for 22 yards and rushed for 12 more. He helped the Patriots convert on two fourth-down opportunities, rushing for one and completing a 15-yard pass to DeMario Douglas for another. 

Maye admitted he had some rookie jitters, but he was happy to make his official debut. 

“Obviously, for the first time, you don’t want to be out there in a blowout loss. But at the same time, just wanted to go out there and try to make some plays and have some fun,” Maye said. “Good chance to watch my first action ever. Felt a little nervous going out there, but what a night – with the crowd, atmosphere to get my first game under my belt and my first action.”

Trivia: The Patriots have lost consecutive games to the Jets, losing on Thursday after dropping the regular-season finale to New York in 2023. When was the last time the Patriots lost two games in a row to the Jets?

(Hint: Both losses didn’t come in the same season)

Scores and schedules:

The Patriots lost to the Jets, 24-3, on Thursday. With the loss, they fall to 1-2. They’ll get an extended break though before they travel to the Bay Area to take on the 49ers in Week 4.

The Red Sox also lost on Thursday, falling to the Rays, 2-0. They dropped to four games back of the Twins and Tigers for the American League’s final wild card spot. Boston hosts Minnesota for a three-game set beginning on Friday, with first pitch at 7:10 p.m.

Boston College looks to bounce back after losing to Missouri last week. It hosts Michigan State on Saturday in the annual Red Bandanna Game. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.

Finally, the Revolution take on Charlotte FC at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

More from Boston.com:

Shohei Ohtani makes history in epic fashion

Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season on Thursday. He hit three home runs and stole two bases in the Dodgers’ 20-4 victory over the Marlins, going 6-for-6 at the plate. His home run in the top of the seventh inning gave him the first 50-50 season ever in the sport. 

Joel Embiid signs lucrative extension with 76ers

The star player from one of the Celtics’ top rivals is remaining in Philadelphia for years to come. Embiid signed a three-year, $193 million extension with the 76ers, he announced on Friday. The final year of his extension reportedly has a player option, which is for the 2028-29 season. 

On this day

September 20 has been a good day for the Red Sox on multiple occasions in recent memory. Friday marks the 11th anniversary of when Boston clinched the division title in 2013, getting a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays that day. The Red Sox finished in last place in the season prior.

Five years later, the Red Sox clinched the AL East title again, defeating the Yankees, 11-6, on this day in 2018. Boston was dominant in the regular season that year, with that win being the team’s 101st of 108 wins before the postseason.

Of course, the Red Sox went on to win the World Series in both seasons. They took down the Cardinals in six games to win in 2013. Five years later, they defeated the Dodgers in five games to win their fourth title since 2004. 

Trivia answer: Week 11 of the 2008 season and Week 2 of the 2009 season

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