The New England Patriots are Super Bowl-bound after a thrilling victory over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. The narrow win came down to the wire as the two powerhouses battled it out in brutal weather conditions.
Throughout the season, Drake Maye's heroics have carried the Patriots into contention. His MVP-caliber campaign has transformed this team from a laughingstock to a true threat, seemingly overnight. But it was the defense that came up big in this game, and Maye knows it.
After the game, the superstar quarterback was quick to shout his defense out on their incredible performance.
Drake Maye praises Patriots defense after AFC Championship Game
For NFL fans, seeing the snow come down on a playoff game in January is a cathartic experience. But for quarterbacks, it's the stuff of nightmares. As the weather intensified in the second half against the Broncos, both teams shifted their focus to holding onto the ball and trusting their defenses to win the game. Maye's aggressive passing style went out the window in favor of the most conservative football he's played all season.
The Pats' defense delivered when it mattered, hardly allowing the Broncos to move the ball in the second half. Denver didn't score a single point after its first-quarter touchdown, allowing the Patriots to sneak through with a subpar offensive performance.
When asked about the weather conditions after the game, Maye was quick to praise his defense. He said, "It wasn't ideal. Defense, they've been stepping up all playoffs ... don't have many words. Just thankful for this team."
He's right to give credit to his defense. They've been the key to carrying this team through the playoffs. In each of New England's three games in the postseason, the offense has left points on the field through missed field goals, turnovers, or mental mistakes. But the defense has been able to limit their opponents enough to cover the mistakes made by Maye and the offense.
When the snow started falling late in this game, it became all about the defenses. Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham was unfamiliar with playing meaningful NFL snaps, let alone playing in those conditions. The Patriots' defense took advantage, forcing a key turnover late in the game and denying any points in the second half. As Maye and all fans in New England know, the Patriots' defense is to thank for this trip to the Super Bowl.