Drake Maye vs. Baker Mayfield: Patriots young QB outduels Buccaneers counterpart in battle of MVP contenders

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Drake Maye vs. Baker Mayfield: Patriots young QB outduels Buccaneers counterpart in battle of MVP contenders image

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Still well known as Tom Brady's two teams, the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have different quarterbacks they are extremely confident in.

Drake Maye has proven in his second NFL season that he is the solution at the position for the Patriots, who bounced between Cam Newton, Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and more after Tom Brady's exit, while Baker Mayfield continues to show his success is no fluke in his third season since succeeding Brady in Tampa Bay.

Maye and Mayfield met for the first time on Sunday, and it was the younger quarterback who walked away with a 28-23 win in a game that could go a long way toward determining the AFC playoff picture, given the Buffalo Bills' loss.

Here's a look at how Maye and Mayfield compared in Sunday's Week 10 contest.

MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture in Week 10

Drake Maye vs. Baker Mayfield stats

Drake MayeStatBaker Mayfield
51.6% (16/31)Comp. Rate65.1% (28/43)
270Pass yards273
2TD3
1INT0
89.5Passer rating106.1
14Rushing yards0
0Rushing TD0

Maye and Mayfield each threw a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's showdown, but the big plays belonged to the Patriots. New England had four plays of more than 50 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown from Maye to rookie Kyle Williams and a 56-yard deep shot to Mack Hollins in the fourth quarter. TreVeyon Henderson, meanwhile, had two long rushing touchdowns.

It was the completion to Holland that preceded arguably the worst moment by either quarterback, though. That Patriots drive ended with a deflating end zone interception by Maye, but the defense put the ball back in his hands, and Henderson went to work.

Maye posted an uncharacteristic 51.6 percent completion rate, his first game completing less than 60 percent of passes this season, but he has yet to throw for less than 200 yards in any game this year and has thrown for at least 250 in five of his last six contests.

Mayfield had the better statistical game, but much of his production either came in the first quarter or while down by multiple possessions in the final two minutes. He and Emeka Egbuka flashed an impressive connection, as the rookie went off for 115 yards and a touchdown on six catches with key receivers out for Tampa Bay.

Here's a look at the best and worst moments for each quarterback. 

MORE: How Drake Maye compares to Tom Brady in year two

Drake Maye highlights

Maye hit Kyle Williams for a huge early touchdown, connecting with the rookie for 72 yards.

Stefon Diggs worked some magic on this pass from Maye for the Patriots' second touchdown of the day.

Maye went deep and found Mack Hollins for 54 yards before throwing an end zone interception.

This was one throw Maye undoubtedly wanted back.

MORE NFL WEEK 10:

Baker Mayfield highlights

Mayfield and Egbuka had it working today, and they connected on this early touchdown.

Mayfield moved around and found Tez Johnson for their first of two touchdown connections on this day.

This Johnson touchdown from Mayfield would be too little, too late with the Buccaneers trailing by two possessions.

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