Drake Maye’s Playoff Struggles Set the Stage for a Defining Super Bowl Test
The New England Patriots are one win away from hoisting another Lombardi Trophy. They’ve battled through a gauntlet of elite defenses to reach Super Bowl LX, finishing the regular season at 14-3 and knocking off three of the NFL’s toughest units in the postseason. But as they prepare to face a Seattle Seahawks defense that’s been the gold standard this year, the spotlight shifts squarely onto rookie quarterback Drake Maye - and whether he’s ready for the moment.
Let’s be clear: Maye has made plays. He’s had his moments. But if New England is going to cap this run with a championship, he’s going to have to elevate his game - and fast.
Seattle's Defense Is No Joke
The Seahawks bring a defense that’s been lights out all season. They’re ranked first in points allowed, first in third-down percentage, sixth in takeaways, and fifth in red zone defense.
That’s a group that doesn’t just stop you - they suffocate you. They force mistakes, close windows, and make life miserable for quarterbacks who aren’t operating at peak efficiency.
And that’s where the concern lies for New England. Maye hasn’t exactly been sharp during this playoff stretch.
Maye’s Numbers Tell a Story - And Not a Pretty One
Through three playoff games, Maye has completed just 55.8% of his passes. He’s thrown five total touchdowns, but he’s also been sacked 15 times and fumbled six times - a number that jumps off the page. Add in two interceptions (one off a tip, one on a Hail Mary), and you’re looking at a quarterback who’s still finding his footing on the biggest stage.
The worst of it came in the Divisional Round against Denver. In a game that eventually turned into a snow-globe slugfest, Maye managed just 86 passing yards - and 31 of those came on a single flea-flicker that flipped field position and changed the momentum.
Outside of that, it was a grind. The Patriots didn’t even run a single play in Denver territory during the first half.
Still, Maye found a way to make something happen. He turned a botched backward pass by Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham into a touchdown on a designed run - a heads-up play that kept New England in it.
That’s been a theme this postseason: Maye hasn’t been flawless, but he’s capitalized on chaos. When defenses make mistakes, he’s pounced.
Against Houston, in a turnover-fest that saw both teams cough it up a combined eight times, Maye still managed to throw two touchdown passes and guide the Patriots through the storm. He’s been opportunistic, if not always consistent.
The Patriots Are Winning as a Team - But Maye Needs to Step Up
There’s no question the Patriots have been elite in the margins. Their defense has been dominant.
Their special teams have flipped field position and created game-changing moments. And situationally, they’ve been as sharp as any team still standing.
But the Super Bowl is a different beast. Seattle doesn’t give you second chances.
They don’t beat themselves. And if Maye brings the same level of play we’ve seen through three playoff games into Santa Clara, the Seahawks are going to turn up the heat - and turn the game on its head.
This isn’t about bashing Maye. He’s a rookie quarterback who’s helped lead his team to the Super Bowl.
That’s no small feat. But the Patriots don’t just want to be here - they want to win it.
And to do that, they’re going to need Maye to channel the version of himself that earned him the starting job, the one with the arm talent, poise, and playmaking ability that made him a top pick.
If he can find that gear - if he can look more like a 2nd-team All-Pro than a first-time playoff starter - the Patriots have everything else in place to finish the job.
But if he doesn’t?
Seattle’s defense is waiting. And they don’t wait long to feast.