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They say styles make for the best fights. Sunday afternoon in Foxboro looks like something ripped from a 1950s Godzilla poster, the Texans’ “Swarm” defense squaring off against Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
Maye wasted little time this week acknowledging the tenacity DeMeco Ryans has built in Houston.
“They fly around, they’re relentless. They’re great up front and on the back end, they’ve got great linebackers. They’re great all around. All of the hype is fulfilling and deserving from what I’ve seen on film.”
The game will hinge on that very collision. How will Maye withstand the pressure, particularly from Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.? Whoever wins that duel likely punches a ticket to the AFC Championship Game. The question is simple and brutal: is Maye ready?
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NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger told Sporting News, “He’s just impressive. In his first playoff game, he led both the Patriots and Chargers in rushing. That play with 26 seconds left in the half, where he ran for 37 yards, allowed New England to take the lead going into the break. Then in the second half, he completed 11 of 14 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. It’s one thing to lead the NFL in completion percentage at 72 percent, but he’s also leading the league in rushing yards per attempt at nine.”
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When asked how Maye will hold up against Houston’s pass rush, Baldinger didn’t hesitate.
“Maye remains poised even after some mistakes. He has calm feet and a calm mind. His 28-yard touchdown to Henry was layered over the outstretched arms of Derwin James, and it was perfect. At the line of scrimmage, he gets them into good plays and out of bad ones. That will be a big key on Sunday.”
Fasten your chin straps. It’s The Swarm on one side and the Drake Matrix on the other. One advances. One goes home.
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