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NFL MVP voters traditionally base their decision on regular-season performance, with playoff results generally not considered. However, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has the opportunity to further solidify his reputation as a rising star in Sunday’s AFC Divisional clash against the houston Texans.
Maye Leads Patriots to Playoff success
Drake Maye leads the second-seeded Patriots into a matchup against the Texans following a remarkable turnaround season. New England finished with a 14-3 record in the 2025 season, a notable improvement from their 4-13 record in 2024, Maye’s rookie year. ESPN reports on the Patriots’ resurgence.
In the wild-card round, Maye showcased his skills, passing for 268 yards and a touchdown while also gaining 66 yards on the ground, leading the Patriots to a 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. NFL.com details the game highlights.
Learning from Past Encounters with Houston
Despite his recent success, Maye recalls a challenging first career start against the Texans in Week 6 of the 2024 season. While he managed to throw for three touchdowns, he also threw two interceptions and was sacked four times – three times by defensive end Will Anderson Jr. - in a 41-21 defeat. Maye acknowledged the game “feels like 10 years ago” but remembers “kind of just trying to stay alive out there.”
Houston’s Defensive Prowess
The Texans boast one of the league’s top defenses, led by the formidable edge-rushing duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. During the 2025 regular season, Anderson Jr. and Hunter combined for 27 sacks, anchoring a defense that allowed the fewest yards in the NFL (5,079) and the second-fewest points per game (17.4). Pro-Football-Reference provides detailed statistics on the Texans’ defense.
Texans Recognize Maye’s improvement
Houston’s players recognize Maye’s significant improvement as their last encounter. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair compared Maye’s development to baking a cake, noting that with practice, the results
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