FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 13: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots celebrates during an NFL football game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)
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The New England Patriots will travel to Denver to face the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. If the Patriots are to prevail against the Broncos, they’ll need a solid performance from quarterback Drake Maye against a formidable Denver defense.
New England Patriots’ Drake Maye On Facing Broncos’ Passing Defense
The Broncos’ defense ranks highly in nearly every metric. Denver ranks No. 7 in passing defense, No. 2 in total defense, No. 3 in scoring defense, No. 1 in red zone defense and No. 2 in third-down defense.
“I don’t think you try to change it,” Maye said.
Maye pointed to a pivotal 32-yard touchdown pass to Kayshon Boutte last week to explain why he won’t change his approach. The one-handed snag by Boutte put the Patriots up 28-16 in the fourth quarter in a win over the Houston Texans.
“I think last week, you change it, and Kayshon doesn’t make the play,” Maye explained. “So little things like that, just knowing the time and place for it. I think trying to get the ball out of my hand, just being cognizant of the edge rushers and taking care of the football is the number-one thing. So, if we have time and have a look downfield, you know me, I’m going to take a look and take a shot.”
Maye has shown he’s willing to take shots. Per NBC Sports Boston, the Patriots ranked No. 1 in the regular season in explosive play rate and Maye had more yards per attempt (8.9) than any other quarterback.
Denver Broncos Defensive Players Evaluate Drake Maye
Broncos linebacker Jonathan Cooper believes the No. 1 key to New England’s offensive success is Maye.
“It starts with Drake Maye,” Cooper said. “They’ve got good running backs. They’ve got a good receiver. But ultimately it starts with the quarterback. He’s done a great job all year and I expect he’ll be no different.”
Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen spoke about what it’ll take to limit Maye’s production.
“It’s gonna be a challenge,” Allen said. “You could tell their whole offense, but especially Drake, is really well coached. He does a good job of getting the ball out quick. Whenever we do take that first read away and he’s gotta hold it a little bit longer, we gotta make sure we’re winning up front.”
Maye was sacked five times last week and Denver could be poised to reach that number, too. If Maye is pressured, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has been prone to ball security issues. Maye has the most fumbles in the NFL this year. In 19 games, including regular season and the playoffs, Maye has had 14 fumbles. In the playoffs alone Maye has six fumbles, losing three of those.
The Broncos are coming off a game in which they recovered four fumbles, and the message from Denver defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers is they need to “keep hunting.”
“Ball carriers are really holding everybody’s hopes and dreams in their hands and naturally, as a defense, we gotta get that ball to our offense and just give them more opportunities,” Franklin-Myers said. “This is a championship game, so turnovers is going to be a big thing. It’s going to be the difference.”