In a season full of twists, grit, and growth, Drake Maye just added a milestone that will echo in Chapel Hill and Foxborough for years to come. On Sunday, the 23-year-old quarterback became the first former North Carolina Tar Heel to lead his team to the Super Bowl, guiding the New England Patriots to a hard-fought 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
This wasn’t a high-flying shootout. It was a grind-it-out, old-school playoff slugfest, played in swirling snow at Empower Field, where every yard felt earned and every point was precious. And while the box score won’t blow anyone away, Maye’s performance was exactly what the Patriots needed: poised, timely, and tough.
With the elements turning the second half into a battle of attrition, New England leaned heavily on its second-year quarterback. Maye didn’t light up the stat sheet-he finished just 10-of-21 for 86 yards-but he made the plays that mattered.
Most notably, he used his legs to break the game open, rushing for 65 yards and scoring the lone touchdown of the afternoon. That run, slicing through the heart of Denver’s defense, proved to be the difference-maker in a game where offensive rhythm was hard to come by.
Denver, already facing an uphill climb, was dealt a major blow before kickoff. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who had been gaining momentum, was sidelined with a broken ankle suffered in last week’s win over Buffalo. That thrust backup Jarrett Stidham into the spotlight, and while he managed the game admirably, the Broncos’ offense couldn’t muster enough to overcome New England’s defense.
The game ultimately hinged on one key play-Maye’s touchdown run-and a Patriots defense that refused to break. It was a classic playoff formula: win the trenches, protect the ball, and let your quarterback make one or two game-changing plays. Maye did just that, showing maturity beyond his years in the biggest moment of his young career.
With the win, Maye now becomes the second-youngest starting quarterback in Super Bowl history, trailing only Dan Marino, who made his Super Bowl debut with the Dolphins in 1985. That’s rare air, and Maye’s ascent has been just as impressive as it’s been unexpected. From promising rookie to Super Bowl starter in two seasons-he’s ahead of schedule, and then some.
Meanwhile, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is on the verge of making history himself. If New England wins Super Bowl LX, Vrabel would become the first person to win a Super Bowl as both a player and a head coach with the same franchise. That kind of symmetry doesn’t come around often, and it speaks volumes about Vrabel’s impact on this team-both in the locker room and on the sideline.
Let’s not forget how far the Patriots have come. Just a year removed from a 13-loss season, they’ve gone from rebuilding to reloading, and now they’re heading back to the NFL’s biggest stage. It’s a remarkable turnaround, fueled by a young quarterback finding his footing and a coaching staff that’s kept this team believing.
New England will face the winner of the Rams-Seahawks NFC title game in two weeks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The Super Bowl will air on NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock, with Bad Bunny set to headline the halftime show.
But for now, the story is Drake Maye. He didn’t just survive the moment-he owned it. And now, he’s one win away from bringing another Lombardi Trophy back to Foxborough.