If a child takes his parents’ car for a joyride and gets into an accident, you don’t blame him.

You blame mom and dad for giving him the keys.

Drake Maye led the Patriots in a 20-17 defeat Sunday at Tennessee. He was sacked and threw two interceptions, including a bomb in overtime that blew up in his face instead of blowing up the Titans secondary and ended the game. But forgive Maye.

The Patriots handed him the keys knowing the rookies were fumbling. And throw picks. And usually subject their teammates and coaches to a rollercoaster of football’s ups and downs, and sometimes a loop or two. This is the route they chose.

The difference between Maye and most rookies is that the Patriots not only asked him to drive, but also to serve as their engine and airbags. Maye’s arm is plan A, his instincts are plan B, and if any other part of the offense breaks down, his legs become plan C. You saw it all on Sunday.

Maye gave up on his offensive line after multiple sacks against the NFL’s No. 1 pass defense. He rushed 95 yards, while his the next closest teammate had 16. In the first half, his off-schedule play generated half of the Patriots’ total yards, and this same creativity then pushed them to work overtime.

Dodging, dodging, diving and darting around the pocket, Maye held the ball for more than 11 seconds on the final play of regulation, which will go down in the history books as a five-yard touchdown pass to Rhamondre Stevenson. But a more appropriate description would be The second longest passing play in the NFL over the last eight years. Or an atypical display of calm and playfulness from a rookie who also got beat up while throwing the ball.

“I think that’s the best thing about Drake: he does things that you don’t really see at a young age.” Pats wide receiver Kendrick Bourne told reporters. “So I’m very excited. And I want to be better for him. I think everyone understands in our offensive room that we have something in him that can make everyone better. …He’s someone you want to follow.

Three years ago, the Patriots followed another rookie quarterback praised for his toughness. But if there’s any doubt that Maye’s game is more impressive than what Mac Jones managed in his first year, given their respective role players, ask yourself: where would the Patriots with Jones right now?

The answer is nowhere. Or the same spot they were in with Jacoby Brissett, another pocket point guard with a clear ceiling. Because Jones ultimately buckled under less pressure than Maye faced; someone who has enjoyed the support of a top-10 defense and a functional running game throughout his tenure in New England.

Maye has neither. He has himself and the least talented offense in the NFL. Plus, an offensive coaching staff that has Patriots fans yearning for the days of Josh McDaniels. Or even Matt Patricia.

Joke. Above all.

Coaching decisions, such as the departure of fourth-round rookie guard Layden Robinson over Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, a two-time Pro Bowl player, continue to sow confusion on a weekly basis. The Pats chose to make room for Robinson by returning Mike Onwenu to right tackle this week, only to have him replace the rookie before halftime. As expected, Simmons devoured Robinson, totaling a pressure and earning a holding penalty. from the first trip alone.

This is the pocket the Pats built for Maye. He still triumphs.