Broncos Fans Left Wondering 'What If' as Patriots, Drake Maye Fall Flat in Super Bowl
Watching the Patriots and rookie quarterback Drake Maye take the field in Super Bowl LX was a tough pill to swallow for Broncos fans - and not just because of the long-standing rivalry with New England. What made it sting even more was the lingering belief that Denver should’ve been the team representing the AFC, not watching from home.
The turning point? Bo Nix’s injury during the AFC Championship Game.
Around Broncos Country - and even across much of the NFL - there’s a growing sense that if Nix had stayed healthy, the postseason might’ve played out very differently. And honestly, it’s hard to argue with that sentiment.
Let’s talk about Maye for a moment. The Patriots’ rookie quarterback had an up-and-down postseason, and that’s putting it generously.
Yes, New England managed to outlast the Chargers, Texans, and Broncos to reach the Super Bowl, but Maye’s role in that run was more about surviving than thriving. Outside of a few highlight throws in each game, he struggled - and his biggest issue was one that directly highlights what makes Bo Nix so special: pocket awareness and sack avoidance.
Sack Stats Tell the Story
Drake Maye was sacked a staggering 21 times over four playoff games - an NFL record for a single postseason. That’s not just a footnote; it’s a red flag.
And it’s not just about the offensive line. As Sean Payton has pointed out before, sacks are often a quarterback stat, not just a protection issue.
Maye holding onto the ball too long or failing to sense pressure played a big role in those numbers.
Now compare that to Bo Nix. Over the course of the entire season - including the Divisional Round win over the Bills - Nix was sacked just 22 times.
That’s one fewer sack than Maye took in the playoffs alone. And in that win over Buffalo?
Nix wasn’t sacked once. That kind of poise under pressure is what separates a good quarterback from a great one, and it’s part of why Broncos fans are still thinking about what could’ve been.
Maye’s Regular Season vs. Postseason Reality
To be fair, Maye had a strong rookie campaign. He earned second-team All-Pro honors and even received 23 MVP votes - a remarkable feat for a first-year player. But the postseason exposed some cracks in the foundation, and when the Patriots needed him to elevate his game, it was the defense that carried the load.
That was especially true in the Divisional Round, where New England’s defense forced five turnovers to offset three giveaways from the offense. And in the AFC Championship Game against Denver, the Patriots managed just one touchdown - and that came off a fluky backward pass from Jarrett Stidham deep in Broncos territory. Outside of that, New England’s offense struggled mightily to even cross midfield, particularly once the snow started falling.
A Missed Opportunity for Denver
The Broncos, meanwhile, had been one of the league’s most resilient teams all season. They played tough, smart football and found ways to win close games.
That’s what made the AFC title game loss - and the circumstances around it - so frustrating for fans. Playing without Nix, in a snowstorm, against a team that couldn’t move the ball unless gifted field position?
It felt like Denver was robbed of its shot at the big one.
And let’s be real: the Patriots didn’t exactly rise to the occasion in the Super Bowl. Their offense sputtered, and Maye looked overwhelmed on the biggest stage.
For Broncos fans, watching that unfold only added to the frustration. It wasn’t just that Denver missed the Super Bowl - it was that the team that took their place didn’t look like they belonged there.
Looking Ahead: A Budding AFC Rivalry
The good news? This story is far from over.
Both the Broncos and Patriots are loaded with young talent at the quarterback position, and their paths are likely to cross again with high stakes on the line. Bo Nix and Drake Maye are going to be compared for years to come, and based on what we’ve seen so far - especially when it comes to handling pressure - Nix has the edge.
Expect this to become one of the AFC’s marquee rivalries moving forward. And if there’s one thing we know about Broncos Country, it’s that they don’t forget easily. 2025 may have ended in heartbreak, but 2026 is already shaping up to be a season of unfinished business.