Drake Maye, Patriots get back to basics in blowout of Panthers

FOXBORO — The message from Mike Vrabel and the Patriots’ coaches all week was simple.

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Get back to basics.

Four quarters later, it was mission accomplished — and then some.

“Just proud of the guys. I thought they played hard,” Pats quarterback Drake Maye said after Sunday’s 42-13 win. “We get back to our fundamentals and kind of back to establishing our identity. I felt like we did that. Probably didn’t hurt ourselves.”

Maye certainly did his part, going without a turnover for the second time in four games this season. He also fired just three incompletions on 17 attempts. Maye took plays that were available, but didn’t force the ball against a Carolina defense that offered him plenty of chances to attack downfield.

The Patriots also rushed for 4.4 yards per carry on