McDaniels' confidence in Drake Maye suggests bettors might favor Maye to rebound — consider backing his passing yardage or completion props to exceed expectations, while caution on turnovers after four fumbles; a conservative under on team turnovers could pay off.
McDaniels Predicts Drake Maye Will Deliver in AFC Championship vs. Broncos
New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels publicly backed rookie quarterback Drake Maye ahead of the AFC Championship, saying he expects Maye to play well and continue the momentum that carried New England through the divisional round. McDaniels’ endorsement frames Maye as the focal point for the Patriots’ game plan against a Denver defense that has quietly been one of the league’s stingiest in passing efficiency.
Maye’s Divisional Round Performance: Impactful but Error-Prone
Maye’s four fumbles in the divisional win were a major concern, yet his timely plays helped secure the victory. The spotlight now turns to ball security and efficiency — areas where Maye must improve to silence doubters and steer New England into the next stage.
Broncos Secondary Poses a Major Test
Statistically, Denver’s secondary allowed only a 57.8 percent completion rate in the regular season, the second-best mark in the NFL. That defensive stinginess will challenge Maye’s league-leading 72 percent completion rate from the regular season and force the Patriots’ offense to be both precise and creative.
Targeting Stefon Diggs and Getting the Most from Kayshon Boutte
Maximizing the usage of top receiver Stefon Diggs — limited to four catches for 40 yards against Houston — will be essential. Putting Kayshon Boutte in favorable matchups and schemed opportunities can help Maye shake off recent miscues and maintain offensive balance.
Coaching and Game Plan
McDaniels faces the task of orchestrating a coming-out party for a young franchise quarterback. Play-calling that plays to Maye’s accuracy while mitigating turnover risk will be central, as will creative ways to neutralize Denver’s secondary pressures and coverage strengths.
Betting Implications and What Punters Should Watch
Maye’s high completion rate versus Denver’s elite pass defense creates a clash of narratives for bettors. Consider targeting completion- or passing-yardage props with moderation, and weigh unders on team turnover lines given Maye’s recent fumbles. Monitor snap counts and target distribution for Diggs and Boutte late in the week before placing line bets.
Patriots Provide Update on Star CB's Injury Status
Josh McDaniels is confident that Patriots star Drake Maye will play up to his MVP standard in the AFC Championship Game against the Broncos.
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