Patriots Stars Assess Costly Miscue On Game-Ending Play

FOXBORO, Mass. — Drake Maye found DeMario Douglas early and often to get the New England Patriots moving on offense.

Douglas, who had 42 receiving yards on New England’s first touchdown drive, brought life to the Patriots in the passing game. New England got the ball back with just over two minutes to go and trailed by six points.

Maye tried to go back to Douglas on a third-and-13 play for New England. Maye let one rip down the middle of the field as Douglas kept running a seam route. Clearly something did not click between the quarterback and receiver as Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Kinchens picked off the pass to close the door on the Patriots, who fell to 3-8 with the loss.

Both Patriots players spoke to the media and shared their perspective of the play that sealed the game in New England’s loss.

“Yeah, it was a two-high look and Pop’s up the middle, and they’re pretty good up front rushing five,” Maye said. “I tried to put it on them and kind of hit them over the linebacker, and Pop was thinking probably deep, but at the end of the day, just got to be on the same page, and I think Pop did the right things. I guess, got to just talk through more situations. Just goes back to me during the week doing more, talking through different situations.”

“I was running my route,” Douglas said. “No, just miscommunication. Both of us will take it. … I didn’t really get to see it because I was still running. I just heard the crowd, turned around and it was an interception. I’d say miscommunication. Leave it at that. I don’t nobody turning it into (anything).”

New England could not finish off back-to-back victories and looks for the next win when the Patriots visit the Miami Dolphins in Week 12.