The 10-2 New England Patriots have locked up their first winning season since 2021 and are headed to the NFL playoffs led by second-year MVP candidate quarterback Drake Maye. While there are five games yet to play to nail down a playoff spot and more, analysts are already contemplating potential opponents.
Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard has cited the Denver Broncos' defense as a prime threat to any Patriots' playoff run.
While this type of speculation is premature, it's not inappropriate to peek ahead at potential playoff challenges to try to gauge which team might be most dangerous to an extended Patriots' playoff push. That there is this type of talk at all this early in the Mike Vrabel era is significant in itself.
There will be major challenges in the playoffs, no matter who the Patriots play. Quarterback Drake Maye now has a less-than-optimum offensive line and, as a result, an inconsistent running game. These factors put massive pressure on the second-year man to take more of the burden on himself. If the offensive line isn't both keeping a clean pocket and opening rushing lanes, it all comes down to Maye's ability to scramble to find time to pass.
Denver's defense has to be neutralized by the Patriots' offensive line
While all the attention naturally flows to the quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs, what's often lost in the haze is the elemental role of the offensive line. The O-line is the key to all of it, and if it's not performing well, not much else will either.
Bedard sees a particular NFL defense being a huge threat to any extended Patriots' playoff run.
Who should the Patriots be MOST AFRAID of in the AFC? @GregABedard says the Broncos defense is the biggest threat to Drake Maye and the Pats offense:
— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) November 18, 2025
"Drake Maye is better than Bo Nix... but if you're looking at what could stop Drake Maye, it would be that Broncos defense." pic.twitter.com/OTGMpopFZC
If Bedard says, "Look out for Denver's defense," you'd better take note. But, there are possibilities for the Patriots to not only take apart the Broncos' defense but also any other defense they may encounter.
The Patriots have Drake Maye, the great equalizer
As Bedard noted, three aspects of the Broncos' defense are scary. First is speed, always a superb asset if it's coupled with talent. Fortunately, the Patriots can deploy speed of their own on offense. They have an explosive emerging star running back, TreVeyon Henderson, who can match the Broncos' speed stride for stride. Give Henderson a lane, and he can take any ball to the house.
Additionally, a little-used weapon who can also gash opposing defenses is rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams. The Patriots need to get Williams more involved in the offense now. If they do, he'll be ready to provide his blazing speed to counter the Broncos'. Williams' acceleration after the catch is as good as it gets, as his touchdown against Tampa Bay demonstrated. Get him reps now; it will pay off later.
The Broncos' defense is great, but the Patriots hold their fate in their own hands
The Broncos' pass-rush leader is Ja'Quan McMillian, a cornerback, who leads the team with four sacks and also has an interception. He'll be a big threat on corner blitzes. Next is Justin Strnad with 3.5 sacks and an interception from his inside linebacker spot. Outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman has 1.5 sacks and two interceptions. He's a playmaker who has to draw a lot of attention.
Bedard is right that Denver's defense is a force to be reckoned with. Yet ultimately, it will be the Patriots' offense and how it performs that will determine the outcome of any game against the Broncos. Bedard says Maye is better than Bo Nix, his Denver counterpart. It's a pivotal advantage.
Maye's pinpoint passing will be key to beating the Broncos; yet that success will be inextricably linked to his offensive line. That unit is key to the outcome of every game. Even with a now solid receiving corps anchored by Stefon Diggs, if Maye has little time to pass, even with his elusiveness, speed on defense may win out.
Similarly, the Patriots now have as explosive an NFL running back as there is in TreVeyon Henderson. Yet, even he needs a lane opened by his O-line to be off to the races. Rather than Denver's or any other team's defense being the biggest threat to the Patriots' playoff hopes, it's actually the Patriots' own offensive line that's the key.
It's the O-line and how it blocks for Maye and the running backs that will ultimately determine the team's playoff landing spot.