Drake Maye admits he "didn't throw well," but the Patriots' elite defense powered a 16-3 Wild Card victory over the Chargers. Read the full analysis o
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — In the NFL playoffs, style points don’t count on the scoreboard. That was the saving grace for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye on Sunday, who was the first to admit his playoff debut wasn't a masterpiece.
Despite an uneven aerial performance from their rookie signal-caller, the Patriots (15-3) relied on a suffocating defensive effort to grind out a 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, punching their ticket to the AFC Divisional Round.
"Defense Won the Game"
Maye was blunt in his post-game assessment, acknowledging that while the result was right, the process was rocky.
"Wasn't pretty, that's for sure," Maye said. "But this defense was so fun to watch. They won the game for us. I didn't throw very well. Need to be better."
The stats back up the sentiment. The Patriots' defense was nothing short of historic, racking up six sacks—tying the second-most in franchise playoff history—and holding the high-powered Chargers offense to a meager 207 total yards. It marked only the fifth time in New England history the team secured a postseason win scoring fewer than 20 points.
Maye’s Rollercoaster Debut
Maye finished the day 17-of-29 for 268 yards, with one touchdown, one interception, and a lost fumble. His first half was particularly rough, posting a season-low 40% completion rate (6-of-15).
"Just got to be better, whether it's accuracy or ball placement or little things, making decisions faster," Maye reflected. "Held on to the ball a little bit. It wasn't my best, but that's why you have teammates."
However, the young QB proved resilient. While his arm was inconsistent, his legs were a difference-maker. Maye led the team in rushing with 66 yards on 10 carries, including a critical 37-yard scramble that set up a halftime lead. He became the first quarterback in Patriots history to finish a playoff game as the team's leading rusher.
The "Elite" Dagger
Despite the struggles, Maye delivered when it mattered most. Clinging to a tight lead in the fourth quarter, he connected with tight end Hunter Henry for a 28-yard touchdown. The ball was placed perfectly over the outstretched arm of All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr., extending the lead to 16-3 with under 10 minutes to play.
Head coach Mike Vrabel didn't mince words about that specific play, calling the throw "elite."
Chasing History
With the win, Maye joins a very exclusive club. He is now the only Patriots quarterback in the last 35 years, besides Tom Brady, to win his first career playoff start.
Up Next:
The road to the Super Bowl continues at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots will host the winner of the Steelers vs. Texans matchup next Sunday.
Key Takeaways
- Defensive Dominance: Patriots held LA to 3 points and 207 yards.
- Maye's Resilience: Despite poor passing stats, Maye led the team in rushing (66 yards).
- Clutch Factor: A 28-yard TD to Hunter Henry sealed the game in the 4th quarter.
- History Made: Maye joins Brady in the record books for debut playoff wins.
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