The New England Patriots' starting quarterback is determined to remain focused on keeping his team successful heading into Week 12.

Notes and thoughts on Stefon Diggs and Todd Downing, future coaching candidates, and more heading into Week 12.

That rising profile fueled a heated media flare-up this week after Stephen A. Smith called Drake Maye “a liar” on ESPN’s “First Take,” reacting to Maye’s claim that he did not know Cam Newton regularly appears on the show. Smith questioned how a high-profile quarterback could be unaware of one of the sport’s most visible programs.

The New England Patriots found their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. A division rival will hope to do the same soon. Maye has guided the Patriots to a 9-2 start in an MVP-caliber season. The 23-year-old has taken a massive second-year leap after the Patriots went 4-13 last year.

Stephen A. Smith pushed back hard on Dave Portnoy's public demand for an apology, delivering a blunt six-word message as their feud escalated.

Former Carolina Panthers quarterback and current ESPN NFL analyst Cam Newton said on the Nov. 14 edition of First Take that he believes the New England Patriots' 9-2 start is "fool's gold" because they haven't played a tough schedule (5:00 mark).

San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner knows what separates the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and he can already see New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye trending in that same direction.

Bill Simmons sparks Patriots buzz after suggesting Drake Maye might outperform Patrick Mahomes as Chiefs star faces growing scrutiny.