Drake Maye’s biggest weakness just became impossible for the Patriots to ignore

In the tense moments prior to kickoff of Sunday’s playoff game, the ESPN broadcast delivered a Drake Maye quote that momentarily calmed the nerves of New England Patriots fans everywhere. 

The Patriots and their 23-year-old quarterback entered their biggest game of the season with a clear objective: end every offensive drive with a kick, whether it’s an extra point, field goal, or punt. Both Maye and head coach Mike Vrabel have preached the importance of ball security, and it was especially paramount Sunday against the Houston Texans’ No. 1-ranked defense.

The good news for Patriots fans? Their team scored the only points of the fourth quarter and held on for a 28-16 victory, extending their whirlwind 2025 season to the AFC Championship Game.

The bad news? It’s back to the drawing board for Maye and the team's big point of emphasis this week.

Maye fumbled the football four times against the Texans, with three coming inside the pocket, and another coming on a first-half scramble. He lost two of them, bringing his total to three lost fumbles in the postseason.

The box score warriors are going to hone in on Maye’s five total turnovers in his two playoff starts, but he had an unfortunate interception in the Chargers game on a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage, and his “pick” against the Texans came on a Hail Mary heave as time expired in the first half.

Those actually watching the games know that the Maye’s issues right now aren’t when the ball’s in the air — it’s with the ball getting knocked to the ground. Maye regressing in that area in the biggest game of the season definitely has Patriots fans’ attention entering Championship Weekend against the Denver Broncos.

Drake Maye’s one lingering issue could derail the Patriots’ Super Bowl run

After a 14-3 regular season, the Patriots thoroughly outplayed both of their first two playoff opponents to advance. Critics can cry about “the schedule” all they want, but if Mike Vrabel’s team advances to the Super Bowl next week, there’s no taking it away from them.

There’s obviously an element of luck in every football game, though, and Maye has had some fortunate bounces land in the arms of his rookie linemen — who might be due more than the outdoor saunas they received for Christmas from their QB this year.

In the Chargers game, with the Patriots leading 16-3 in the fourth quarter and the ball at midfield, Maye was strip-sacked in the pocket by Odafe Oweh. The ball took a fortuitous bounce to left guard Jared Wilson, who might’ve saved a touchdown by being Johnny-on-the-spot.

In Sunday's game, the Patriots dodged a couple of near-disasters against the Texans, with Maye playing way too loose with the football at times as Houston’s relentless pass rushers got home and collapsed the pocket.

New England was up 7-3 in the first quarter when, on third-and-10 from his own 22-yard line, Maye tried to throw late with front-side pressure in his face and had the ball battled loose by Danielle Hunter.

The star Texans' edge rusher nearly made the recovery himself, but it slipped through his hands, and Patriots left tackle Will Campbell made the recovery all the way back near his own goal line.

That was obviously a brutal mistake by Maye, who often refuses to give up on plays and keeps his eyes down the field. He’s made some amazing things happen in that same vein this season — and did again in some huge spots on Sunday — but his fumble nearly flipped the game on its head in the early stages.

Later, the Patriots were leading 21-10, looking to drive into field goal range in the final minute of the second quarter, when Will Anderson stripped Maye in the pocket — resulting in a second recovery by Campbell. Houston finally got one midway through the third quarter, when Anderson got to Maye again, and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair pounced on the loose football at the Patriots 35.

Maye now has 14 total fumbles in 19 games this season. Only six of them have resulted in turnovers, but with the competition ratcheting up over these past two weeks, this has become the type of problem that could wreck a Super Bowl run. 

The other three teams still playing — the Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks — won’t offer anything close to a reprieve. All three ranked inside the NFL’s top 10 in sacks this year, with Denver leading everyone with 68; both the Rams and Seahawks rank among the NFL leaders in total takeaways, as well.

Any time a clear issue like this persists, especially when it’s been a big talking point, it’s a cause for concern. What’s the easiest way for the Patriots to lose in Denver next Sunday? A fumble by Maye that gets recovered by the wrong team, this time.