Why Patriots’ Playoff Run Destroys ‘Easy Schedule’ Narrative

The New England Patriots are headed to Super Bow LX, and critics of their schedule are having a terrible Monday.

That’s because New England has now defeated three top-5 defenses over the course of the last three games, becoming the first team in NFL history to do so in the playoffs, according to NFL writer Daniel Rotman.

New England’s ability to advance to the Super Bowl has been a team effort, of course, but no one has been more impressive this year for the Pats than 23-year-old quarterback Drake Maye.

Maye’s sophomore campaign marked a remarkable ascent. Starting all 17 regular-season games, he topped the league with a 72.0 completion percentage, 8.9 yards per attempt, and a 113.5 passer rating, earning him the Pro Football Writers of America’s Most Improved Player award.

In the postseason, Maye has demonstrated resilience, guiding New England through tough victories. He threw for 179 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-16 divisional-round win over the Texans. The AFC Championship showcased his dual-threat ability in snowy conditions: completing 10 of 21 passes for 86 yards while rushing for 68 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown run.

A game-sealing scramble with under two minutes left clinched a 10-7 victory.