FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s ability to make plays with his arms and legs helped the New England Patriots take a 7-0 lead over the New York Jets in the first quarter on Sunday.

Maye ran for a 17-yard touchdown on the Patriots’ second drive, escaping the pocket after dropping back to pass and sprinting untouched from the left hash mark to the right pylon. Jets linebacker Chazz Surratt hit Maye’s legs at the 4-yard line to no avail.

While the line of scrimmage was the 17-yard line, Maye had dropped back to the 27-yard line before going for a run, taking advantage of the Jets’ defensive end when Eric Watts made a wide rush and was caught by right tackle Demontrey Jacobs was pushed behind Maye to open up a career path. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt celebrated on the sidelines.

DRAKE MAYE. 17-yard rushing TD for the rookie!

📺: #NYJvsNE on CBS/Paramount+
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– NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024

It was the Patriots’ first rushing touchdown since Week 5 against the Dolphins (Rhamondre Stevenson). The Patriots started the season with three rushing touchdowns on Sunday, which was the second fewest in the NFL.

Early in the drive, facing third-and-5, Maye hit tight end Hunter Henry for an 11-yard catch to keep the drive alive. In total, the scoring drive included 10 plays for 77 yards and lasted 6:28 minutes.