New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye expressed disappointment in his performance during the team’s 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round of the AFC playoffs on January 14, 2024. Despite the win, Maye acknowledged, “Wasn’t pretty, that’s for sure. But this defense was so fun to watch. They won the game for us.”
In his first playoff start, Maye completed 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He also lost a fumble, although left guard Jared Wilson recovered another fumble. Maye’s first half was particularly challenging, as he recorded a completion rate of only 40% (6 of 15), marking his worst performance in a half this season.
Reflecting on his struggles, Maye stated, “Just got to be better, whether it’s accuracy or ball placement or little things, making decisions faster.” His teammates provided crucial support, and he emphasized the importance of teamwork, saying, “Those guys picked me up.”
Patriots Defense Shines
The Patriots’ defense played a significant role in the victory, limiting the Chargers to just 207 yards of total offense. Maye attributed the team’s success to the defensive performance, which included six sacks—tying for the second-most in a playoff game in franchise history.
The game was tightly contested, with both teams struggling for field position and making key stops in the red zone. The Patriots finally broke through in the fourth quarter when Maye connected with tight end Hunter Henry for a 28-yard touchdown, a throw described by head coach Mike Vrabel as “elite.” This play extended the Patriots’ lead to 16-3 with 9:52 remaining, allowing the team to gain some breathing room.
In the second half, Maye improved his efficiency, completing 11 of 14 passes for 173 yards and the touchdown. Prior to that, he had showcased his ability as a rusher, finishing as the team’s leading rusher with 66 yards on 10 carries. This marked the first time in Patriots playoff history that a quarterback led the team in rushing.
Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. commended Maye, stating, “Every time we got him, he got back up. Every time he needed a play, he used his legs.”
Looking Ahead
With this victory, the Patriots improved their record to 15-3 and will host the winner of the upcoming game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans. The next playoff game is scheduled for January 21, 2024, at either 3 p.m. ET or 6:30 p.m. ET.
This triumph marked a significant milestone for Maye, who joined Tom Brady as the only Patriots quarterbacks in the last 35 years to win their first career playoff start. Despite the challenges he faced, Maye’s resilience and the team’s defensive prowess propelled them into the next round of the playoffs.
