How the Patriots Reached the Super Bowl Behind Defense, Not Drake Maye
The New England Patriots are back in the Super Bowl, but not in the way most expected. After a breakout regular season that pushed second-year quarterback Drake Maye into MVP conversations, it would’ve been easy to assume he’d carry that momentum into the playoffs. But as it turns out, the Patriots didn’t need Maye to play hero ball - their defense did the heavy lifting.
Let’s break down how New England punched its ticket to Super Bowl 60 with a defense-first formula, while Maye, at times, took a back seat.
A Defensive Clinic Through Three Rounds
If you’re looking for the real MVP of the Patriots’ playoff run so far, look no further than the defense. Over three postseason games, New England has allowed just 8.7 points per game and forced eight turnovers.
Even more impressive? They’ve given up just six total points in the second halves of those games.
That’s not just good playoff defense - that’s championship-level dominance. And it's exactly the kind of identity head coach Mike Vrabel seemed intent on building when he took over in Foxborough.
Wild Card Round: Patriots 16, Chargers 3
Defense sets the tone early
This one was a defensive statement from the jump. The Patriots didn’t even find the end zone until the fourth quarter, but they didn’t need to.
Two first-half field goals would’ve been enough. The defense held Justin Herbert and the Chargers to just three points, racked up six sacks, and completely controlled the tempo.
Drake Maye’s performance:
- 17/29 (58.6%)
- 258 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- 66 rushing yards on 10 carries
- 1 lost fumble
Maye showed flashes - especially on the ground - but ball security was an issue. A pick and a lost fumble kept the Chargers within striking distance longer than they should’ve been. Still, the defense never let this one get away.
Divisional Round: Patriots 28, Texans 16
Capitalizing on chaos
The box score says 28 points, but don’t be fooled - this wasn’t an offensive explosion. The Patriots leaned heavily on a defense that forced five turnovers, including four first-half interceptions from C.J.
Stroud. Marcus Jones’ pick-six was the highlight, and it helped New England build a cushion that proved insurmountable.
Drake Maye’s performance:
- 16/27 (59.3%)
- 179 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT (on a Hail Mary)
- 10 rushing yards
- 2 lost fumbles (4 total fumbles)
Maye’s stat line looks solid at first glance, thanks to three touchdown passes. But the offense was still inconsistent, and Maye struggled under pressure.
He was sacked five times and coughed up the ball multiple times - not the kind of execution you want in January. The Patriots were fortunate that their defense gave them extra possessions to work with.
AFC Championship: Patriots 10, Broncos 7
Weather, grit, and one big run
This was classic playoff football - cold, snowy, and all about field position. The Patriots managed just one touchdown, which came after a Broncos turnover that set them up deep in the red zone. A key drive in the third quarter stalled inside the five, but Andy Borregales drilled the go-ahead field goal.
The defense? Locked in. Denver scored a touchdown in the first quarter and never again.
Drake Maye’s performance:
- 10/21 (47.6%)
- 86 passing yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs
- 65 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD
- No turnovers
The snow was a factor, no question. Maye’s passing numbers were way off his regular-season pace, and he didn’t throw a touchdown.
But he made plays when it counted - especially with his legs. His fourth-quarter run for a first down to seal the win was a defining moment, even in a game where he struggled through the air.
Maye’s Playoff Totals: A Step Back from Regular Season Form
Through three playoff games, Maye has:
- 5 total touchdowns (4 passing, 1 rushing)
- 2 interceptions
- 6 fumbles (3 lost)
That’s a far cry from the version of Maye we saw lighting up defenses during the regular season. The caveat here is important: he’s faced three of the league’s best defenses, and two of those games were played in rough weather. Still, the Patriots will likely need more from their young QB in Super Bowl 60, especially with conditions expected to be more favorable.
The Bottom Line
Drake Maye hasn’t been the star of the Patriots' playoff run - and that’s okay. What New England has done on defense has been nothing short of elite, and it’s allowed the team to win three straight games without needing Maye to carry the offense.
But now comes the biggest test yet. The Super Bowl stage is set, and if the Patriots want to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, Maye might need to channel some of that regular-season magic one more time.
The defense has done its part. The question now is: can Maye rise to the moment?