FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Quick thoughts and notes on the New England Patriots and the NFL:

1. Maye’s turnover figures: When Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt recently discussed the rookie quarterback’s goals Drake Mayehe presented what was essentially a mathematical equation.

Over a 17-game season, the goal would be to have no more than 10 interceptions, assuming two or three are due to inevitable deflected balls. Van Pelt made it clear he did not encourage turnovers but recognized that game situations – such as playing from behind – often require being riskier than the norm.

Heading into the Patriots’ home game against the Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS), the math isn’t in Maye’s favor — even though he’s been a bright spot in the Patriots’ difficult 3-9 season. the team.

Maye has thrown an interception in each of the last four games, which is the longest streak among rookie quarterbacks this season. His seven total interceptions are the most among all rookies, despite not being named a starter until Week 6.

Add to that four lost fumbles, the last of which came in a Week 12 loss at Miami in which he didn’t secure the ball after a blocking error in front of him, and that’s 11 turnovers in seven matches.

“At the end of the day, you can’t turn the ball over. We lose turnover margin in most games with me there, so that’s something I have to improve on,” said Maye.

The Colts present a notable challenge in this regard, as their 17 takeaways (8 interceptions, 9 fumbles recoveries) are the eighth-highest total in the NFL.

Overall, the Colts enter Sunday’s game with a minus-1 turnover differential, while the Patriots have a minus-7 turnover differential, tied for 26th in the NFL.

In evaluating each of his interceptions this season, Maye, who hasn’t been helped by a shaky offensive line and receiver play, added that he doesn’t view the majority as reckless decisions. Last week, he seemed more disappointed by the lost fumble as he held the ball with one unprotected hand as the rush closed in on him.

For their part, coaches are balancing the promise Maye has shown by recognizing he can play cleaner.

“It’s very easy to forget that he’s a rookie quarterback. What I will say is the one thing he’s definitely going to improve on in the future is just turnovers, and we can’t not play that way. He understands it,” coach Jerod said. Mayo said.

Added Van Pelt: “There are mistakes that he will make just from experience (and) he will get more reps in certain plays and understand the concepts. But he continues to develop and does a really good job. You just have to be careful. football.”

2. Polk’s new home: Beginner Receiver Ja’Lynn PolkThe second-round pick who struggled to emerge has a new home in the locker room. His stand is now next to the veteran catcher Kendrick Bourneas he takes over Tyquan ThorntonThis is the old place.

“It’s like Jacoby (Brissett) is next to Drake (Maye), the veteran and the rookie, and it’s kind of the same thing here,” said Bourne, now in his eighth season on the NFL. “To be close to him, I’m going to keep encouraging him, talking to him about gems, giving him life. I don’t know if they’re doing it on purpose, but things are happening the way they’re supposed to happen. “

Three points from defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington – communication difficulties, safety Kyle Dugger and facing Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. pic.twitter.com/yYDqPERUc4

-Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 27, 2024

3. WR Detail: One area to watch on Sunday is whether Maye gets more support from his pass catchers in critical situations when it comes to attention to detail. In last Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins, it looked like Maye threw himself behind the receiver. DeMario Douglas on a critical third-and-9 play, but Van Pelt shared that Douglas’ route was supposed to be 5 yards, not 3. And later, on an unsuccessful fourth-and-4 throw to Bourne along the line. touch, Bourne admitted his route was not precise enough.

The plays and commentary that followed were a reminder that what often looks like a quarterback mistake isn’t always the case. “It comes down to road racing,” Bourne said.

4. Fewer Drake Leaks: Since Maye rushed for 95 yards in eight games against the Titans on Nov. 3, Van Pelt has noticed a change in opposing defenses. “Probably more about containing him in the pocket, not being so reckless with the driving lanes and giving him areas to escape,” he said.

Indeed, Maye has totaled 77 yards in 12 scrimmages in the three games since, with Colts coach Shane Steichen noting, “He’s third in the league in scrimmages for yards, so he’s doing a good job finding a path if there is one to take. …so we have to do a good job of keeping him in the pocket. “

5. Layden at LG: The release of the starting left guard Michael Jordan Tuesday opens door to 2024 fourth-round pick Layden Robinson to step in – and will give the team a chance to assess whether he’s a good fit for it long-term.

Robinson played only right guard at Texas A&M and in his first stretch with the Patriots this year, but with a veteran Mike Onwenu Locked in at right guard, the powerful Robinson (6-foot-3, 311 pounds) has recently begun working more on the left side. Robinson described him as a right-handed person learning to write with his left hand. “The more you get used to it, the more you do it,” he said.

As for Robinson’s playing style, Onwenu summed it up succinctly: “He’s a mauler and a brawler.”

6. Draft defense? : ESPN draft analyst Field Yates revealed an updated ranking of the top 25 prospects on Friday, with four of the top five players on defense (assuming Colorado is Travis Hunter is considered a receiver rather than a cornerback).

This prompts a question based on the Patriots: Despite the top needs at left tackle and receiver, would they fill the need with a top-five pick and would they be better served by choosing a defensive end?

7. School bags: Basic Special Teamer Brenden Schoolboy embraces his niche role on defense, and with two sacks in seven snaps (ranks fourth on the team in sacks), it led to a moment of levity behind the scenes with outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, who told Schooler he was down to 198 points. of Bruce Smith’s all-time NFL record of 200 sacks.

“Everyone has fun with it,” Schooler said.

8. Late goodbye: The Patriots and Colts took weeks off after Sunday’s game, joining the Broncos, Commanders, Ravens and Texans as teams with the NFL’s last possible bye. This is a rare setup, as they will only return to play four regular season games, with the Patriots knowing the playoffs are not in their future.

A Patriots player said this week: “It’s different. You look forward to your bye week to reset, but at this point I just want to see it through.”

9. Baringer’s gesture: Patriots punter Bryce Baringer has had custom cleats made to commemorate late Michigan State punter Mike Sadler as part of the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” initiative.

In 2016, Sadler died in a car accident with Nebraska punter Sam Foltz. Baringer, who attended Michigan State from 2018-2023, will not wear the cleats in Sunday’s game, but wanted Sadler’s mother, Karen, to have them.

“He was a really big role model for me, not just as a player, but as a person,” Baringer said.

10. Did you know?: Maye (Patriots) and Anthony Richardson (Colts), who play Sunday, are the two youngest starting quarterbacks in the NFL; both are 22 years old and Richardson is exactly 100 days older than Maye.