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Chad Graff

@chadgraff.bsky.social

2.5K followers 84 following 450 posts

Senior writer at The Athletic covering the Patriots. Adjunct professor at Northeastern. High-handicapped golfer, low-rated tennis player, seeker of a good old fashioned.

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Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 3h

The Patriots' offense ranks:

EPA/pass: 4th
Success rate passing: 7th

EPA/rush: 32nd
Success rate rushing: 32nd

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 8h

Only one QB under the age of 24 has recorded six straight games with at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating over 100 -- Patrick Mahomes.

If Drake Maye does it Sunday against the Titans, he'll join Mahomes as the only other QB to do that.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 22h

The Patriots are asking Drake Maye to be Superman on offense. That may not be sustainable long term.

But it’s working. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

The Patriots offense may be one-dimensional, but Drake Maye is so good it might not matter

www.nytimes.com

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

The Patriots are 4-2. It's their best record through six games since Tom Brady was the quarterback.

They've won three straight games, something they hadn't done in three years.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

Drake Maye on the 4-2 Patriots already matching their win total from a year ago: “Let’s go get win No. 5. Last year is in the past.”

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

Drake Maye was once again incredible as the Patriots improved to 4-2.

Maye completed 18 of 26 passes for 261 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

It's hard to close out games when you don't have a running game.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

Mike Vrabel is giving the line judge an earful after it looked like a pretty obvious Saints pass interference went uncalled on third down.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

The Patriots' offense is one-dimensional.

Yards per pass: 12.8
Yards per designed rush: 2.6

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

Halftime: Patriots 22, Saints 16

Both offenses were impressive. Drake Maye was incredible. Pats will need more from their defense in the second half.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

Drake Maye in the first half: 11-of-13 for 185 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs.

He's been great once again.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

Rhamondre Stevenson has 18 yards on 7 carries.

Another day of struggles for the Patriots' running game, putting a lot on Drake Maye's plate.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

The Patriots have run 10 plays and have 118 yards. Two drives, two touchdowns.

It's jarring seeing how good this offense is after, well, last year and the year before that and the year before that.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

Another dart from Drake Maye, another touchdown.

He's been incredible. Again.

Maye so far is 5-for-5 for 103 yards and 2 TDs. (And that's with a 63-yard TD taken off the board for a phantom flag.)

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

Mike Vrabel is understandably upset with the refs right now. The Patriots threw a 63-yard TD pass. They cheered. The PAT unit came out. Ready to make it 14-3.

And then one of the latest flags I've ever seen was thrown and wipes off the touchdown.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

What a route from DeMario Douglas there. Looked like he was going to be covered and totally fooled the safety.

A 53-yard touchdown pass.

Patriots 7, Saints 3.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

After the injury to Antonio Gibson, the Patriots shook up their kick returners.

No more TreVeyon Henderson back there to keep him from getting hurt.

Efton Chism and Terrell Jennings are the new kick returners.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 3d

According to @theathletic.com’s playoff prediction model, the Patriots have a 77(!!) percent chance at the postseason.

A look at why that number is so high: www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Playoffs or bust? Why the Patriots now have a 77 percent chance at the postseason

www.nytimes.com

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 4d

Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez was limited at practice due to a hamstring injury.

That’s obviously concerning for a couple reasons. 1. Gonzalez didn’t have an injury designation yesterday. 2. A hamstring injury recently sidelined him 6 weeks.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 5d

A look at where the Patriots are exceeding expectations so far. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Where the Patriots are exceeding expectations: Drake Maye, the run defense and more

www.nytimes.com

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 6d

🚨NFL power rankings through Week 5🚨

The Patriots are on the rise after a big win. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

NFL Week 6 Power Rankings: Eagles’, Bills’ losses mean new No. 1; Baker, Bucs on the rise

We have a new No. 1 after the Eagles' and Bills' surprising losses on Sunday. Meanwhile the Buccaneers, 49ers and Colts continue to move up.

www.nytimes.com

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 7d

Forget the rebuild. With Mike Vrabel, the Patriots are already playoff contenders. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Forget the Patriots' rebuild. After beating the Bills, they should be playoff contenders

www.nytimes.com

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 7d

FINAL: Patriots 23, Bills 20

Forget a rebuild. Drake Maye’s breakout is here. This Patriots team is legit. And the playoffs are possible. They’re 3-2 with a bunch of easy games remaining.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 7d

That play encapsulates why the Patriots rank so high in success rate.

That should've been a sack. Instead, Drake Maye gets a pass off and it turns into a 12-yard gain.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 7d

Alright, Drake Maye.

It's felt the first four games like a Year 2 breakout is here.

Now he gets the chance to orchestrate a game-winning drive on national TV, on the road, against the Super Bowl favorites.