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Drake Maye faces his toughest test yet against ‘relentless’ Texans defense
"They're great up front, they're great in the back end, they’ve got great linebackers. They're great all around. They have great coaching."
Mike Vrabel did not hesitate when asked about the challenge the Texans will present in Sunday’s divisional-round matchup at Gillette Stadium.
Will the Houston defense be the toughest that the Patriots have played this season?
“Yeah, of course,” Vrabel said. “I mean, they have great talent, great scheme, they play hard and I respect how hard they play. They’re not only talented, but they have a play demeanor that I can appreciate.”
The Texans have three AP All-Pro selections on defense. Edge rushers Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter made the first team and second team respectively Derek Stingley Jr. was the lead vote getter for the cornerback position.
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The Texans allowed the fewest yards (277.2) per game this season. They were also in the top-5 in points allowed and rushing yards allowed.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who made his first career NFL start in a 41-21 loss to the Texans last October, could have his hands full with one of the league’s premier defenses this weekend.
“They fly around, they’re relentless,” Maye said. “They’re great up front, they’re great in the back end, they’ve got great linebackers. They’re great all around. They have great coaching.”
But, Maye also has an opportunity for revenge. He cracked his knuckles, looked down at the podium, and smiled while recalling that first start against Houston.
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“That feels like ten years ago,” Maye said. “It’s been a long journey, so you just take some time, probably to look back and see what the journey has been like. I know it’s hard to do in such a sped up time like the postseason where there’s so many things you’re trying to do and finish and think about.
“Just take some time to reflect on running out there with the first snap jitters. Pretty cool. Fun to look back on. Hopefully we’ll have a different outcome of the game.”
The leading receiver for Houston that day was Stefon Diggs, to whom Maye will be throwing on Sunday. That game was a few weeks before Diggs tore his ACL and several months before he ended up with New England.
Diggs echoed Vrabel’s sentiments about Houston being the toughest defensive test of the season for the Patriots.
“They’ve got great edge rushers, they’ve got great corners, they’ve got good guys in the back-end that can play the ball well, they’ve got good interior,” Diggs said. “They’re all around just a good-a** football team. It’s definitely going to be a task for us, a challenge that I know we’re all going to be up to.”
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Maye threw three touchdowns against a pair of interceptions and was sacked four times in his first start. He wound up being the Patriots’ leading rusher with Rhamondre Stevenson out. No Patriots running back had more than 20 yards in that game. Houston won by three touchdowns, but Maye felt like there were missed opportunities in the passing game.
“Different schemes, so it’s hard to relate it to now. Some chances. We’d won some in man coverage; we’re going to have to do that again. They’re really good in man coverage. Stayed ahead of the chains, enough to get into passing downs. We had a chance to come out of the half and had a strip sack. So, just little things like that. You’ve got to keep yourself in the game and know that a little play like that can flip the tides.”
Last week’s win against the Chargers was the first time this season that the Patriots have faced a defense in the top-10 of fewest points allowed.
They missed having Seattle, Denver, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Minnesota, Jacksonville, and L.A. on the schedule this year. Houston was No. 2 in points allowed at 17.2 per game. The Patriots were No. 4. The Chargers were No. 9.
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Maye led the Patriots in rushing against the Chargers with 66 yards on ten carries. He’s comfortable making plays with his legs, but he’ll have to keep his head on a swivel against Houston.
“Those guys, especially the linebacker level, they’re going to try to take your head off, and I respect them for it,” Maye said. “They do it at a really high level. They tackle the ball carrier hard, and they’ll punish them, and they’ll make you pay for it.
“So, I’ve got to have a good deal about and a good feel about when to take chances and when to be smart because the linebackers are good, and they do a good job of delivering some big-time hits. So, that’s this league, knowing to protect myself and try to be good.”
With a playoff win under his belt, Maye has another opportunity to test himself in the playoffs this weekend.
“We were just talking about how there’s 24 teams at home right now,” Maye said. “There’s eight of us practicing and still working. He mentioned to us today before practice, ‘Take a look, raise your hand, who was still practicing this time last year?’ I think Milt [Milton Williams] was the only one.
“So, it was just eye-opening to see, man, there’s eight teams left. It’s a chance and an opportunity that we have to play a home football game and a home playoff game that matters, at times when it matters most.”
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