FOXBOROUGH - Coming off an overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Patriots turned the page to the Chicago Bears on Wednesday with the head coach and players all acknowledging they've got to dial in on the details that could swing some of these late-game losses into victories.
"My message to the team today is really just about a sense of urgency, a sense of urgency in everything that we do. We have a huge test coming up, another road game going out to Chicago," said Mayo at his opening press conference.
"I think there's always, gonna be a sense of urgency in this league," said Hunter Henry, who chipped in with a key fourth-down catch on the last drive of regulation against the Titans. "You know, where we are as a team, we need that desperately from everybody. So it starts with myself and and starts with this week of practice. I think trying to attack this week head on, and we're playing a really good football team in a really cool environment, hostile environment, so we've got to be ready to go."
The same issues continue to hamper the team's efforts in recent weeks, with the lack of a substantive run game sticking out as perhaps the most glaring problem that the team needs to get fixed.
The team's three running backs needed a total of just 15 rushing yards against the Titans combined.
"I would just say from an O-line perspective, we didn't play our best game against Tennessee, and you can see it with the results in the run game," said left tackle Vederian Lowe. "That's been a really big point of emphasis for us to clean up this week. You know, we started out the season on the ground game really well and we want to get back to that. We want to reestablish our identity in the run game."
This week the Patriots run game continued to spiral down the league-wide rankings, finally landing at 32nd in DVOA, as part of an overall offense that ranks 31st. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye has provided a spark but now it's up to the rest of the team to build the fire around him.
Receiver Kendrick Bourne is one player who did his part to support Maye against the Titans, coming up with four catches for 41 yards. After starting the year on the PUP list, Bourne is starting to flash the kind of potential he has to help this offense get out of its rut. On Wednesdsay, the ever-positive Bourne was ready to get back on the practice field to keep building that chemistry with his young QB.
"I'm trying to get a connection personally and, just as a receiver group trying to keep building that connection through practice," said Bourne. "It's all through practice. So that's kind of what the focus is, is just practicing getting better, because there's a lot we can work on."
Through four starts, Maye has had his ups and down, but the ups have mostly overshadowed the obvious downs. That's what a game-tying touchdown throw as time expires can do in a game where the quarterback also threw two picks and had an interception. Maye seems entirely aware of what improvements he needs to make to his game.
"I've got to protect the football, that's the biggest thing," said Maye when asked what he needs to do better. "I think there's times where my decision-making, whether it's ball security in the pocket, and knowing when that timer goes off in my head, little things like that. Other than that, just taking the right play is the biggest thing... Knowing the situation, what's the best play for this football team, instead of being as aggressive in certain situations."
As for areas he feels like he's shown strides, Maye pointed out the plays he's made, but more specifically focused on the mental part of his game.
"I think my first and second down decision-making has been big, "said Maye. "I think whether it's run checks or one high, two high stuff, different things that we're getting in and out of plays, I've been proud of the way that I feel like I've done well."
Now Maye will face off against the quarterback selected two spots ahead of him in the first overall slot, Caleb Williams. Like Maye, Williams has had his ups and downs, but remains a creatively dangerous player who is looking to break a frustrating two-game losing streak.
Maye's connection with Williams, both on and off the field, means there will be a little more on the line this week for the talented 2024 picks.
"Really, with Caleb, I've seen him since high school. We'd go to the same camps. We were at the Elite 11 [camp] with each other. We got some college visits together," said Maye. "So, the whole thing, going through the process again. We kept up with each other in college. We were friends, and I enjoyed watching him do his thing. Now I get a chance to compete. So, anytime you're going against a rookie quarterback in the same class, or any quarterback in your class in general, it's a little extra. I'm looking forward to going out there and getting a chance to play the Bears."
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