FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Short-term thoughts and notes surrounding the New England Patriots and the NFL:

1. Mayes Sales: When Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt recently discussed targets for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, he presented what was essentially a mathematical equation.

The goal would be to have no more than 10 interceptions in a 17-game season, assuming two or three are due to unavoidable turnovers. Van Pelt made it clear that he did not encourage turnovers, but acknowledged that game situations – such as playing from the back – often lead to the need to be more risky than usual.

Things don’t work out in Mayes’ favor in the Patriots’ home game against the Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS), even if he was a silver lining in the team’s challenging 3-9 season.

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 of any rookie, despite not being named the starter until Week 6.

Add in four lost fumbles, the last of which was a loss in Week 12 at Miami in which he failed to secure the football in front of him after a blocking error, and that’s 11 turnovers in seven games.

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

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

Overall, the Colts enter Sunday’s game with a turnover differential of minus-1, while the Patriots are ranked 26th in the NFL at minus-7.

In assessing each of his interceptions this season, Maye, who hasn’t been helped by shaky offensive line and receiver play, added that he doesn’t view the majority as sloppy decisions. Last week he seemed even more disappointed with the lost fumble, as he held the football unprotected in one hand as the rush came his way.

For their part, the coaches are balancing the promise Maye has shown with acknowledgment that he can play cleaner.

“It’s very easy to forget he’s a rookie quarterback. What I want to say is the only thing he will definitely improve in the future is just the ball losses and we can’t play like that. He understands that,” coach Jerod told Mayo.

Van Pelt added: “There are some mistakes he will make just because of his experience (and) he will get more reps on certain plays and understand the concepts. But he continues to develop and does a really good job. You just have to be careful of football.”

2. Polk’s New Location: Rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, the second-round pick who has struggled to come out, has a new home in the locker room. His stable now sits alongside veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne as he takes over Tyquan Thornton’s old spot.

“It’s like Jacoby (Brissett) is standing next to Drake (Maye), the veteran and the rookie, and it’s kind of the same thing here,” said Bourne, now in his eighth NFL season. “To be close to him, I will continue to encourage him, to treasure him, to breathe life into him. I don’t know if they do it on purpose, but things happen the way they’re supposed to happen.”

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

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 27, 2024

3. WR detail: One area to keep an eye on Sunday is whether Maye gets more help from his pass catchers in critical situations when it comes to attention to detail. In last Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins, it looked as if Maye had thrown behind receiver DeMario Douglas on a critical third-and-9 play, but Van Pelt advised that Douglas’ route was over 5 yards, not over Should run 3 yards. And later, when Bourne hit an unsuccessful four-and-four shot on the sideline, Bourne admitted his route wasn’t precise enough.

The plays and subsequent comments served as a reminder that what often seems like a mistake by the quarterback isn’t always the case. “It comes down to route running,” Bourne said.

4. Fewer Drake Escapes: Since Maye ran for 95 yards in eight scrambles against the Titans on Nov. 3, Van Pelt noticed a change in opposing defenses. “It will probably be more about keeping him in check, not being so reckless with rush lanes and giving him areas to escape,” he said.

In fact, in the three games since then, Maye has totaled 77 yards on 12 scrambles, with Colts coach Shane Steichen noting, “He’s third best in the league when it comes to yards scrambles, so he’s doing a good job of getting a lead.” to find when he has one to take.” so we have to do a good job of keeping him in the pocket.

5. Layden at LG: Tuesday’s release of starting left tackle Michael Jordan opens the door for 2024 fourth-round pick Layden Robinson and gives the team a chance to evaluate whether he’s a long-term fit there.

Robinson played exclusively right guard at Texas A&M and during his early career with the Patriots this year, but with veteran Mike Onwenu at right guard, the powerful Robinson (6-foot-3, 300 pounds) has recently started playing more at left Page to work page. Robinson described it as a right-handed person learning to write with his left hand. “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 hitter and a hitter.”

6. Defense in the draft?: ESPN draft analyst Field Yates released an updated ranking of the top 25 prospects on Friday, with four of the top five playing defense (assuming Colorado’s Travis Hunter is viewed as a receiver rather than a cornerback).

This raises a question for the Patriots: Despite having the biggest needs at left tackle and receiver, would they be better served with a top-five pick and would they be better served selecting a defensive lineman?

7. School Bags: Core special teams player Brenden Schooler is embracing his niche role on defense, and with two sacks in his seven snaps (fourth on the team in sacks), it led to a lighthearted behind-the-scenes moment with outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, who Schooler said he is now just 198 away from Bruce Smith’s NFL record of 200 sacks.

“Everyone has fun with it,” Schooler said.

8. Late reunion: Both the Patriots and Colts have a bye weeks after Sunday’s game, joining the Broncos, Commanders, Ravens and Texans as teams with the NFL’s latest possible bye. This is a rare setup as they will only play four regular season games and the Patriots know the playoffs are not in their future.

One Patriots player said this week: “It’s different. You’re definitely looking forward to the bye week to reset, but at this point I kind of just want to push through.”

9. Baringer’s gesture: Patriots punter Bryce Baringer had custom cleats made to commemorate the 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 along with Nebraska player Sam Foltz. Baringer, who attended Michigan State from 2018 to 2023, will not wear the cleats in Sunday’s game but wanted Sadler’s mother, Karen, to wear them.

“He was a very big role model for me, not only as a player, but also as a person,” said Baringer.

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