FOXBOROUGH – Drake Maye has passed every Year 2 test thrown his way.
He’s adapted to having his second offensive coordinator in as many years as well as a complex new offense.
He’s been Kryptonite-free against defenses. Maye has ultimately defeated every scheme and tricky wrinkle.
His favorite target is the open one.
His next test?
The playoffs.
Sunday night’s Wildcard round game against the LA Chargers will be his first postseason encounter.
Will he rise to the occasion? Or will he shrink in the moment.
When it comes to the Patriots quarterback, that’s the biggest unknown at this point.
It’s also one of the most significant storylines that could influence the matchup.
Maye has certainly produced in primetime games this season, most recently in a comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens.
In college, he led the North Carolina Tar Heels to an ACC Championship game in 2022, only to lose to Clemson. Maye threw for 268 yards, but also had a pair of interceptions.
The playoffs, however, are a different animal. These are the games that truly define players. One and done brings a different kind of pressure. Maye was asked about handling that element Wednesday.
“It’s a little bit different in the NFL, just the mentality of winner go home, or win and advance,” Maye said. “I think that’s the biggest thing that’s different (from college) and going to a championship or Bowl game. Here, it’s now, or you’re going home. So that’s the mindset.”
Asked if he felt like he had something to prove in that environment, Maye admitted wanting to show his teammates he’s the same player as he was in the regular season.
“That starts with me playing well, and knowing that my job is huge, it’s big,” he said. “I’ve gotta play well for us to win. I know that. That’s the nature of this league, this position. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way”
Maye is just one of many Patriots (35 in all) who have yet to experience a playoff game.
Four of Maye’s receivers (Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III) are also playoff newbies, along with running back TreVeyon Henderson, as well as the left side of his offensive line (Will Campbell, Jared Wilson).
Maye, however, touches the ball every offensive snap. As he goes, so goes the offense.
Being great in the regular season doesn’t always translate in the postseason.
Lamar Jackson has two NFL MVP trophies. He’s 3-5 in the postseason. He’s struggled with turnovers and efficiency in key moments, while his playoff completion rate and passer rating are below what he’s typically produced during the regular season.
Justin Herbert, who Maye will be opposing Sunday, has all the talent in the world. He’s 0-2 in the playoffs. He threw four picks last year against Houston with the Chargers unable to get past the NFL’s opening playoff weekend.
That’s not to say Maye is going to flop. He could very well be as good, if not better, than he was in the regular season.
Knowing Maye, and every hurdle he’s cleared, it’s hard not to put money on the latter.
But until the game plays out with the Chargers, a team that boasts an excellent defense, it remains an important aspect that’s TBD. Same with the other players who are getting their first taste of the playoffs.
It should help that the Patriots also have a few players with Super Bowl-winning experience (Milton Williams, Carlton Davis III). They’ve been imparting whatever wisdom they have to anyone who asks.
Mike Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl winner as a player, has already provided valuable guidance.
His advice to the newbies?
“Understand that a few plays will make the difference,” Vrabel said. “Presented with the opportunity to make a play, that you’re going to have to make it.”
That’s been Maye’s modus operandi all year en route to finishing with the league’s top completion percentage (72.0) and third-best passer rating (113.5).
Maye, who on occasion has been a bit too hyped up at the start of games, said the coaches have also been preaching for everyone to stay consistent, and just do what they’ve been doing all year.
“The natural thing is to get a little more amped. I think that’s natural as humans to get amped for a big game,” Maye said. “But just trust what we’re doing, trust the preparation, just go out there and have fun. It’s playoff football, so go out there and bring your best. Everybody knows that.
Stefon Diggs, a player embarking on his ninth post-season trip, certainly understands the desire to want to do more because of the stakes.
Speaking at his locker Wednesday, he said it’s important for players not to “make it more than it is.” It’s about sticking to their identity and not straying from the script.
As for Maye, Diggs has no doubt how the second-year quarterback will handle Sunday’s night’s showdown with the Chargers.
“I expect to see the same player, if not him doing more. Whatever duty calls for, whatever the job calls for, he’s been consistent,” Diggs said, adding: “I’m excited for Drake. Another stage for him to shine. He’s a good quarterback, he’s been a good quarterback. He’s an MVP talent, the MVP in my opinion … I’m excited for him. I’m excited for a lot of guys. It’s a lot of guys first time in the playoffs. Here we go.”
