CINCINNATI — Perhaps expectations have turned outsized 12 weeks into Drake Maye’s second season, but it’s hard not to look at his performance in a 26-20 Patriots win over the Bengals as surprisingly disappointing.

Facing off against the NFL’s worst defense without two key starters, Sunday should have been the type of game to cement his MVP candidacy. Instead, he came out spraying the ball and began the game 3-of-7 with an interception that Bengals safety Geno Stone returned for an interception.

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Head coach Mike Vrabel said nothing was limiting Maye on the afternoon.

“Not his best performance. But give (the Bengals) credit,” Vrabel said. “I think he came up big with some good throws, and I’m sure there were a couple that he would like to have back.”

Maye has been one of

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