Courtesy of the New England Patriots
DENVER- In a grit-filled performance amidst a swirling Colorado snow, Drake Maye led the Patriots to a 10-7 victory over the Denver Broncos, clinching the AFC Championship and a trip to Super Bowl LX. In just his second NFL season, the 23-year-old quarterback overcame a top-ranked Denver defense and deteriorating weather conditions to end the franchise’s “Mile High” playoff curse.
While the passing game struggled in the elements—with Maye completing 10 of 21 passes for 86 yards—his impact was felt primarily through his mobility. After a defensive fumble recovery in the second quarter, Maye scrambled for a 6-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
Maye later orchestrated a grueling 16-play drive in the third quarter, highlighted by a 28-yard run that set up the decisive 23-yard field goal by Andy Borregales.
In the game’s final minutes, Maye sealed the win by executing a 7-yard bootleg run on third-and-5, allowing New England to run out the clock in victory formation.
“We were in big personnel, running the same deal to the right, little stretch play, and at some point, they got lackadaisical, and I got a chance to get on the edge,” Maye said. “I thought [Elliss] was going to track me and hawk me down, but I got enough to pick up the first. Coach Vrabes will probably get mad about running out of bounds, but at that point, it doesn’t matter when you get the first down. So that was a cool moment, cool to celebrate with those guys, it’s always cool to finish in victory formation, so, pretty sweet.”
After the game, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and his teammates alike highlighted Maye’s poise under pressure and his ability to extend plays. Maye’s athleticism proved to be the difference in the game.
“That’s a great thing about Drake, the ability to extend plays, and if it’s not there, gain chunks. He’s done that most of the year,” Vrabel said. “I know that there’s going to be a lot of questions about this and that and the other thing, but we did enough to win the football game in tough conditions. When we got that field goal, talking to the defense, I said, ‘If they don’t score, then it’s going to be hard for them to win the football game.’’
“[Drake] is a tremendous athlete, man, it’s a threat,” tight end Hunter Henry said. “To be that mobile and be able to run the way he does and see things and extend plays and all that, it’s a big advantage for us. For him to make a lot of plays with his legs today was big.”
Maye himself remained humble after the historic win, shifting credit to a defense that consistently gave the offense opportunities.
“It was tough elements for offense, but the defenses were playing great,” Maye said. “Really just [giving us] a chance to not lose the game and turn the ball over or do something where we’re putting our defense in a bad spot. Our defense showed up every time, time and time again.”
Now Maye and the Patriots have an opportunity to carve out their own legacy in franchise lore.
“It’s a new team, it’s a new era,” Maye said. “I respect and appreciate what the Patriots dynasty did, and unfortunately they didn’t come out with some wins here, but we changed that narrative and look forward to bringing our best football for [the Super Bowl].”