The New England Patriots are headed to the AFC Championship Game, and once again, instead of celebrating what they did right, the conversation has shifted to what their opponent did wrong. That’s become a bit of a theme this season-critics downplaying New England’s success, even when the numbers and the tape tell a different story.
After the Patriots handled the Houston Texans on Sunday, the spotlight should’ve been on how a rookie quarterback just carved up the NFL’s top-ranked defense in brutal, blizzard-like conditions. Instead, the conversation veered off course. On ESPN’s Get Up, former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky lit up social media with a bold claim: “If you're Houston, you win that game with 31 other quarterbacks.”
That clip took off, racking up over a million views. But let’s unpack that statement, because it doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
Drake Maye threw three touchdowns and led the Patriots to 28 points-something only one other team managed to do against Houston all season. And this wasn’t some dome shootout.
This was a grind-it-out, weather-beaten playoff game in New England, where the wind was howling and the field looked like a snow globe. Maye didn’t just manage the game-he took it over.
Orlovsky's point centered on the idea that Houston’s defense “deserved” to be in the AFC title game, even after surrendering 105 rushing yards and getting picked apart by a rookie QB. But the broader context tells a different story.
This Texans defense had been elite all year, no doubt. But they weren’t unbeatable.
In Week 12, the Texans beat Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in prime time. Allen, the reigning MVP, managed just two touchdowns-one of which came on a 97-yard kickoff return. The Bills offense couldn’t get going, and nobody was blaming Houston’s quarterback play in that one.
Fast forward to Week 17. Justin Herbert and the Chargers had a shot to take down Houston in a critical late-season matchup.
Herbert and company mustered only 16 points. Again, no one was pointing fingers at C.J.
Stroud’s two interceptions. The narrative was about Herbert falling short.
So here’s the question: Why is it that when Drake Maye puts up one of the best offensive performances any team has had against Houston all season, the story suddenly becomes about how “any other quarterback” would’ve won that game?
There’s no way to prove or disprove Orlovsky’s hypothetical. But here’s what we can say: Aaron Rodgers didn’t do it.
Josh Allen didn’t do it. Patrick Mahomes didn’t do it.
Drake Maye did.
And it wasn’t just Maye. The Patriots’ game plan was sharp.
They ran the ball effectively, protected their young quarterback, and executed in the red zone. They didn’t just squeak by-they imposed their will on a defense that had made a habit of shutting teams down.
It’s time to stop moving the goalposts. The Patriots earned their spot in the AFC Championship Game. They beat a legitimate contender with a top-tier defense, and they did it behind a rookie quarterback who’s playing like anything but.
So yes, give credit to Houston’s defense for a great season. But don’t take away from what the Patriots just accomplished. Because when the stakes were highest, and the weather was at its worst, New England rose to the occasion-and that’s not something 31 other quarterbacks can claim.