The battle between the Patriots’ offense and the Broncos’ defense is a matchup of strength against strength.
The battle between the Patriots’ offense and the Broncos’ defense is a matchup of strength against strength.
We know what the Patriots’ and Broncos’ strengths are ahead of Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.
For New England, quarterback Drake Maye has put up a season worthy of an MVP as the Patriots have several key contributors on both sides of the ball this postseason. For Denver, its defense has been among the best in the league, ranking second in yards allowed and first in sacks this season.
But let’s take a further look at the stats to determine where each team might have a specific advantage in Sunday’s matchup. Here are 21 stats to know that could determine the final outcome of the AFC title game.
132.7: Drake Maye’s 132.7 passer rating on deep passes (throws where the ball traveled at least 20 yards down the field) was the best mark in the regular season, per Pro Football Focus. That number has dipped to 77.1 in the postseason, although Maye’s Hail Mary interception against the Texans hurts that number.
20.3: Denver has the lowest completion percentage against deep balls this season, with opposing quarterbacks completing 20.3 percent of passes, per Next Gen Stats. Josh Allen didn’t complete a single one of his nine deep throws last week and threw two interceptions on such passes. So, Sunday’s game is a strength against strength in that regard.
79.4: The Broncos’ 79.4 passer rating allowed this season was also the fifth-best mark in the league. The only two defenses the Patriots have played with a better mark were the Chargers and Texans. Maye had a 93.4 passer rating over those two games.
2: Broncos star cornerback and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II has allowed just two touchdowns this year, per Pro Football Focus. So, as Surtain covers the boundary, that could be tough news for Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
7: But Maye might be smart to pick on Broncos starting cornerback Riley Moss. Moss has allowed seven touchdowns this season, which is tied for the eighth-most in the league, according to PFF.
