The New England Patriots are traveling to the Mile High City this Sunday to face the Denver Broncos in a highly anticipated AFC Championship Game. To prepare for Denver’s aggressive defense, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is focused on flexible pass protection as he warns Drake Maye and the team to ‘stay balanced’.

Reporter Taylor Kyles highlighted McDaniels’ emphasis on staying “ahead of the chains,” as he write on his social media handle, “Josh McDaniels says there’s no one way to handle pass protection, adding some schemes will send five into the pattern while others will provide help, but that the #Patriots must stay balanced and ahead of the chains vs the Broncos.”

This strategic discipline will be vital as the Patriots look to extend their perfect 8-0 road record into a stadium known for its deafening noise and high altitude. To secure a spot in the Super Bowl, the team will need flawless pre-snap communication to handle the hostile environment and continue its historic turnaround season.

The  Patriots are heading into a tough matchup because the Denver Broncos have one of the most dominant defenses in the league. This season, Denver allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards and the second-fewest total yards overall, ranking them right next to the Houston Texans as the best in the business.

A big reason for Denver’s success is its star-studded roster. They feature Patrick Surtain II, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who anchors a secondary that makes it nearly impossible for teams to throw deep. On top of that, the Broncos have an elite pass rush that led the NFL in sacks, meaning quarterbacks rarely have enough time to let long plays develop, which makes it important for the Patriots’ defense to be very strong.

Despite these scary stats, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye isn’t backing down. He and the Patriots have been great at throwing deep all year, and Maye remains confident. He pointed out that they already faced a top-tier defense in the Texans and still managed to take successful shots downfield, including a touchdown pass to Kayshon Boutte.

Even though the Broncos only allow about 6.1 yards per pass, one of the lowest marks in football, Maye intends to keep playing his aggressive style. However, the game will likely come down to the Patriots’ offensive line; they must protect Maye long enough for him to find his receivers if they hope to beat this elite Denver unit.

Mike Vrabel’s expectations for his QB, Drake Maye

This Sunday, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will play in the most important game of his life. After an incredible second season that saw him become a finalist for the NFL MVP award, Maye has consistently proven he can handle pressure.

Head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the high expectations for his young quarterback during a press conference on Wednesday. Vrabel emphasized that Maye needs to lead the offense and remain calm despite the intense playoff environment. 

“Lead our offense, be the conductor, and help us handle the environment,” Vrabel said, per team-provided video. “Find as many positive plays as you can, take care of the football, own the operation, and then you’re gonna have to make some big-time throws. That’s just kinda how these things go.” He further added,  “It’s no different than what we’ve expected of him the entire season.”

Top Stories

Josh Allen’s Strong Stance on Sean McDermott’s Exit Revealed After Owner Shared Bills QB’s Role in HC’s Firing

John Harbaugh Fires Giants Coach Battling Cancer as Ravens Block Staff Poaching

Bills Announce Concerning Josh Allen News as Owner Unloads on NFL Refs For Brandin Cooks Incident

Viral 4-Year-Old NFL Picks Girl Faces Death Threats After Cardi B’s Profanity-Laced Rant

‘Desperate’ to Find Help, Cowboys Legend Troy Aikman Shares Medical Update on Chronic Issue

Despite the excitement, Maye’s performance in the playoffs has been a bit of a rollercoaster. While the Patriots won their games against the Chargers and the Texans, Maye struggled with ball security, recording six fumbles and five turnovers across those two matchups. If the Patriots want to secure a spot in Super Bowl LX, Maye will need to play a much cleaner game and avoid those costly mistakes.

Ultimately, the Patriots believe that if they support Maye and put him in the right situations, he has what it takes to lead them to a championship. While a lot of pressure is on the young quarterback, the team views this as a group effort to lead the team into the Super Bowl.