Drake Maye can solidify his arrival as a premier quarterback by leading the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl LX triumph over the Seattle Seahawks.
The 23-year-old has already made history as the first quarterback to ever defeat three top-five defenses, in terms of yards allowed, in the same postseason. Maye faces another steep challenge against a Seahawks unit that ranked sixth in total defense but allowed an NFL-low 17.2 points per game.
He’d join a former Patriots rival in the record books if the Patriots prevail this Sunday. NFL researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno noted that Maye can follow Peyton Manning as the second quarterback to beat the top-three scoring defenses in a single postseason.
Maye hasn’t posted gaudy numbers against elite competitor. The second-year pro has a 55.9 completion percentage in three playoff wins after garnering a league-best 72.0 completion percentage during the regular season.
Along with a diminished 84.0 quarterback rating, Maye has fumbled six times and taken 15 sacks. He’s also amassed 141 rushing yards and made key plays in big spots for the Patriots, who have outscored the opposition 54-26 in the playoffs.
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Maye certainly wouldn’t be the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl with an assist from his defense. Nineteen years ago, Manning captured a Lombardi Trophy for the Indianapolis Colts despite recording three touchdowns and seven interceptions that postseason. The Colts allowed 31 points in three playoff wins outside of their 38-34 victory over the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Super Bowl LX starts Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Featured image via David Butler II/Imagn Images
