Drake Maye’s Ball Security Under the Microscope as Patriots Prepare for AFC Title Clash in Denver
Drake Maye has been one of the breakout stars of the 2025 NFL season, and there's no denying it. The rookie quarterback has played well beyond his years, flashing the arm talent, poise, and playmaking ability that made him a top pick. His rapid rise has helped propel the New England Patriots to the doorstep of the Super Bowl, with only the Denver Broncos standing in their way.
But as good as Maye has been, there’s one glaring issue that’s become impossible to ignore: ball security. Specifically, fumbles. And with the AFC Championship looming, it’s a concern that’s front and center-not just for the Patriots, but for the Broncos, who see it as a potential key to victory.
Turnovers Taking Center Stage
Maye’s recent performances have been a mixed bag. While he’s continued to show flashes of brilliance, the turnovers have piled up-particularly on the ground.
He’s fumbled six times, losing three, and the timing of those miscues has been brutal. Add in ten sacks over the past two games and a pair of interceptions, and suddenly the Patriots’ offensive rhythm has looked a little shakier than it did earlier in the season.
To his credit, Maye isn’t ducking the issue. He’s owned up to the mistakes and knows exactly what’s at stake.
“I’ve got to do a better job stepping up and hit guys downfield when we had chances,” Maye said this week. “I have to be better with the football when I’m taking off and running.
From there, just know the football is the prized possession. When we don’t turn the ball over, and put the team in the best spots, I like our chances.”
That kind of self-awareness is encouraging, especially from a young quarterback in his first postseason run. But understanding the problem and solving it under playoff pressure-especially against a defense like Denver’s-are two very different things.
Denver’s Defense: A Different Beast
The Broncos come into this game with one of the league’s most disruptive defenses. They’re fast, physical, and opportunistic-exactly the kind of unit that thrives on forcing mistakes. And after seeing how Buffalo’s offense unraveled in the Divisional Round thanks to turnovers, Denver knows the formula.
From the fan base to the coaching staff, the message is clear: pressure Maye, and the ball might come loose.
“Maye has definitely held his own,” one Broncos observer noted, “but you can kind of see where the Broncos can get after him. Ten sacks in two games is simply not sustainable.”
Denver’s defense doesn’t just collapse pockets-they capitalize on chaos. Strip sacks, tipped balls, forced throws under pressure-this is where they feast. And with Maye’s recent struggles holding onto the ball, they see an opening.
The Mile High Factor
It’s not just the defense Maye has to worry about, either. This will be his first game in Denver, and that means dealing with the altitude. For players not used to it, the thin air can be a real adjustment-especially for quarterbacks who rely on mobility and extended plays, like Maye.
Conditioning, timing, and even ball handling can all be affected, and it’s another layer of adversity the Patriots will have to prepare for. The good news?
This New England team has been counted out before. They’ve battled through adversity all season, and they’ve earned their spot here.
But none of that will matter if the turnovers keep coming.
The Bottom Line
Drake Maye has shown he can lead, he can throw, and he can win. But now comes the biggest test of his young career. If the Patriots are going to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl, it starts with protecting the football.
The Broncos are too good to give extra possessions to. Their defense is too fast to gamble against. And the stakes are too high to make the same mistakes again.
Maye doesn’t need to be perfect-he just needs to be clean. Because if he can keep the ball off the turf and out of harm’s way, the Patriots have more than a fighting chance to keep their dream season alive.