NFL news: Patriots lineman elevates Drake Maye’s game-sealing play
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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye put the game on his shoulders in the team’s final AFC Championship contest against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
With Tom Brady throwing a pass and Bill Belichick roaming the sidelines, the Patriots needed to go on third down to end the game and secure their first Super Bowl appearance. If the team was stopped, they would have to rely on the defense to get the ball back to the Broncos and stop Jarrett Stidham once again.
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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws 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 made the move and faked a pass. He rolled to the left side where there was only one man to beat. Maye was able to get past Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss and score the first touchdown and end the game.
While it may seem like a simple play action call that Maye just executed, Patriots offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury shared that no one had any idea this was coming. he said Boston Herald Maye did not share what she would do.
“I hit my block and all the defenders started running the other way,” Bradbury said. “I was like, ‘What? Oh my God.’ … After the game, Drake said: ‘I debated about telling you guys if I was going to keep this up. But I decided not to.”
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) prepares to hand the ball off to the Denver Broncos during the second half of the 2026 AFC Championship game at Empower Field at Mile High on January 25, 2026. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
DRAKE MAYE’S CONTESTIBLE FOURTH DOWN PLAY SIGNS FURY ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS PATRIOTS HEAD TO SUPER BOWL LX
The play highlighted what Maye could do with his legs, with his ability to pass hampered by snow in the second half against an already tough Broncos defense.
Maye scored the Patriots’ only field goal of the game following a costly Broncos turnover. The quick goal tied the game in the first half. In the second half, Patriots kicker Andy Borregales kicked a 23-yard field goal to give New England a three-point lead.
“What an atmosphere there is here,” he said after the match. “Battle of the elements. I love this team. What about the defense? I love every single one of them.”
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye celebrates the trophy after the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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The Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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