The mood among the Patriots' talented players was significantly improved by Drake Maye

FOXBORO, Mass. — It's not like the New England Patriots were overjoyed after their 41-21 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said he personally let down rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Veteran defender Davon Godchaux lamented the defense's lack of “pride” after an “embarrassing” defeat. These feelings weren't the only ones.

But there's no denying that the mood among the offensive linemen was more optimistic after Maye's first start.

In particular, Patriots fullback DeMario Douglas sang a different tune than he had just a few days before. Douglas was tight-lipped in the locker room on Wednesday, shortly after Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed Maye had been named the starter. The second-year wideout spoke to reporters with dejected veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett just a few lockers away, almost awkwardly. Douglas, among others, approached the quarterback change matter-of-factly instead of showing enthusiasm.

On Sunday afternoon it was different.

“I don't like losing, but I've just seen the little spurts that tell me we're moving in the right direction,” said Douglas, whose first career touchdown came on a 35-yard catch-and-run. Run by Maye was.

Douglas said his feelings were solidified when he saw the number 444 as he left the training room. He noted that the “angel number” 444 in numerology is a sign of moving in the right direction. Maye's performance literally made the Patriots players think of the brightest stars.

Kendrick Bourne was equally optimistic. Bourne was “encouraged” to see the potential of the Maye-led offense and noted that things were different. Bourne, who was held to two catches on two targets for 9 yards, said he “really loved” Maye’s ability to take a hit and get back up. Patriots tight end Hunter Henry said Maye's poise and resilience also stood out to him “first and foremost.”

Bourne and others praised the rookie for his natural leadership in the huddle.

“His aura – he has aura,” Bourne said. “That’s important in football. Some people have an aura, some don't. He's one of them. He doesn’t have to try, he’s that guy.”

Douglas added: “He got the loot. … I would run him through a wall.”

The locker room ruckus was a direct result of Maye's performance on the field.

He threw more touchdowns (three) than Brissett in five games. Maye (20 of 33, 243 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions) led New England's offense to a season-high in passing yards and recorded the most passing yards against Houston's defense this season. With Maye behind center, the Patriots looked like a professional offense for the first time this season. He can extend the field with his arm and move the chains with his legs.

That doesn't mean it was perfect. Maye was responsible for three turnovers and the Texans scored 17 points from those giveaways. This was undoubtedly the most disheartening part of Maye's debut.

But Mayo and the Patriots drafted Maye because they felt the offense needed a spark. The rookie undoubtedly made sure of that on the field and in the locker room. Now it's up to the rest of the group to follow suit.