(Video) Drake Maye’s Extremely Non-Chalant Reaction to Patriots Advancing to the AFC Championship Game After Win Over Texans

Despite facing difficulties to cope with the Texans defense, Drake Maye stayed poised to lead the Patriots to a victory in the divisional game.

(Video) Drake Maye’s Extremely Non-Chalant Reaction to Patriots Advancing to the AFC Championship Game After Win Over Texans

Drake Maye reacts to an incomplete pass from CJ Stroud (Image via IMAGO/X)

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Drake Maye approaches every football game with a certain degree of calmness that’s rarely found in first- or second-year quarterbacks. Even in bad weather conditions at Foxborough, and leading by 12 points, Maye showed poise as the game hadn’t finished yet.

Maye stared at his counterpart, and the Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud climbed the pocket with a minute left. Stroud heaved a pass forward into the New England Patriots’ half to find an open receiver.

Xavier Hutchinson cut through the downpour and took a leap of faith. However, the moment he hit turf, the ball came out of his grasp. The incomplete pass sent the Patriots’ bench into delirium. Stefon Diggs celebrated his former team’s misery as he ran back onto the field.

Amidst the chaos, cameras pointed at Maye captured a different sight. The 23-year-old emitted an aura that’s wise beyond his years. Maye took a quick glance at the clock and nonchalantly walked to the middle of the field to start the penultimate drive of the night.

Maye took a couple of knees to run down the clock and secure a 28-16 win for the Patriots in the AFC Divisional matchup. He is now the only Patriots quarterback to qualify for the AFC Championship game besides Tom Brady since 2000.

Sometimes, athletes can become overconfident with early success and make mistakes. Maye is different. His attitude and demeanor toward his teammates have remained unchanged since the day he walked into the Patriots’ facility as the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Before the Texans game, tight end Austin Hooper gave an interview that perfectly captured Maye’s personality.

Drake [Maye’s] always been who he is. That’s the beauty of him. I mean, he’s never changed. He’s always had that spirit in him, being a leader. So that’s really changed from last year to this year. I mean, I would say it’d be more everyone else around Drake changing, other than (him). He’s been the same guy, and that’s what I love about him… the success hasn’t changed him.

Austin Hooper said (H/T: Sports Illustrated)

Drake Maye survived the Texans’ defense to clinch a home playoff victory

The Patriots were viewed as the underdogs in their own background, and for good reason. The Texans’ defense ranked first in several categories and was predicted to make life hard for Maye.

(Video) Drake Maye's Extremely Non-Chalant Reaction to Patriots Advancing to the AFC Championship Game After Win Over Texans
Drake Maye (Image via IMAGO)

On a recent episode of NFL Live on ESPN, the entire panel picked against the Patriots in their matchup with Houston.

They weren’t completely off the mark. Maye was sacked 5 times, fumbled 4 times, and lost the ball twice across the four quarters. He threw a low-risk Hail Mary interception right before time ran out in the second half.

Despite the series of sacks, Maye stood firm and made some eye-catching plays. He threw three touchdowns, connecting with DeMario Douglas, Stefon Diggs, and Kayshon Boutte, and went 16-for-27 for 179 yards.

According to NFL Research, Maye joined Brady, Drew Bledsoe, and Tony Eason as the only Patriots quarterbacks with multiple career playoff wins.

The Patriots advanced to their 16th AFC Championship Game, matching the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most appearances in league history. They’ll face off against the Denver Broncos, led by former Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

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