NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye put the game on his shoulders on the team’s final drive in the AFC Championship against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
The Patriots had to convert on third down to essentially end the game and secure their first Super Bowl appearance since Tom Brady threw passes and Bill Belichick roamed the sidelines. If the team was stopped, they would have had to pass the ball back to the Broncos and rely on the defense to stop Jarrett Stidham once again.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) rushes the ball against Denver Broncos safety Devon Key (26) during the first half of the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
On 3rd and 5, Maye took the snap and faked the handoff. He rolled back to the left where he only had one guy to beat. Maye was able to just get around Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss to get the first down and seal the game.
While it seemed like a simple action call that Maye just executed on, Patriots offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury said no one had any idea it was coming. He told the Boston Herald that Maye did not say what he wanted to do.
“I hit my block and all the defenders started running the other way,” Bradbury said. “I’m like, ‘What? Oh my God.’ … After the game, Drake said, ‘I debated telling you guys if I was going to (keep) it or not. But I just decided not to.'”
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) prepares to throw the ball against the Denver Broncos during the second half of the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
DRAKE MAYE’S CONTROVERSIAL FOURTH-DOWN PLAY CAUSES FIRE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS PATRIOTS HEAD TO SUPER BOWL LX
The play underscored what Maye was able to do with his legs in the game as the snow hampered his passing ability in the second half against an already tough Broncos defense.
Maye scored the Patriots’ only touchdown of the game after a costly Broncos turnover. The rushing touchdown tied the game in the first half. In the second half, Patriots kicker Andy Borregales hit a 23-yard field goal to give New England a three-point lead.
“What an atmosphere out here,” he said after the game. “The battle between the elements. Love this team. How about the defense? I love every single one of them.”
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye celebrates with the trophy after the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
The Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
