LONDON – Rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s calm response to a third-down blitz was the key to a 7-0 lead for the New England Patriots on their first possession of Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium.

On third-and-10 from the Jaguars’ 16-yard line, Maye was in the shotgun with JaMycal Hasty to his right. The Jaguars simulated pressure — with Josh Hines-Allen dropping into the defense and defensive backs Darnell Savage and Antonio Johnson rushing — and Maye calmly threw the ball to Hasty on the right sideline.

Hasty, a five-year veteran who used to play for the Jaguars, then did the rest, initially running down the sideline before cutting back in at the 9-yard line and darting into the end zone as Jaguars defenders were sloppy in their attempts to tackle. Maye, making his second career NFL start, was 6 of 7 for 62 yards during the opening drive.

A bit hasty! @Patriots score on their opening drive.

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—NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024

It was the Patriots’ first opening drive of the season that ended with points on the scoreboard. Against the blitz specifically, Maye was 3-of-4 for 30 yards and the touchdown on the opening drive. Three of his four touchdown passes came against the blitz.