He’s delivering the goods as arguably the best quarterback in the NFL through 12 games of the 2025 NFL season, but New England Patriots starter Drake Maye is also being propped up by one of the smartest protection schemes in the league, a blueprint that’s drawn high praise from a former pro passer.
Dan Orlovsky spent 11 seasons in the NFL, mostly as a backup, before joining ESPN. He knows a thing or two about what it takes to keep a quarterback upright, and Orlovsky believes the Pats start every play by asking “how are we going to protect it.? Every play starts with the thought process of ‘how do we give this play the chance to have success?”
When taking a closer look at the game film from Week 13’s 33-15 win over the New York Giants, Orlovsky noticed a definite trend to how the Patriots are protecting Maye.
Orlovsky identified how the Patriots “so often will, what I call, double chip. Or make sure your edges are protected. Sometimes they’ll take different groupings of personnel. Two tight ends, a tight end here, a back here. They’ll put ’em attached to the hip.”
Committing to a strategy of doubling up on the edges is keeping the Pats’ most prized asset clean in the pocket. That approach proved invaluable against the Giants, owners of a highly rated collection of outside pass-rushers who were expected to feast against a banged-up Patriots offensive line.
Instead, Maye was given the time he needed to do what he does best and strengthen his MVP case. Namely, by attacking coverage vertically.
Patriots Mixing Up How They Protect the Edges
One notable play highlighted by Orlovsky, a 2nd-and-22 from the Giants’ 46-yard line in the second quarter, showed the Patriots had “their two backs in the backfield (TreVeyon) Henderson here, (Rhamondre) Stevenson here,” flanking Maye.
At the snap, each back moved to help out the offensive tackle in front of him. As Orlovsky put it, “they make sure that either side if gonna get double chips. A chip here and a chip here. What does that do? It allows the interior to firmer. Number two, it never exposes these tackles. They always have help. They get their hands on these guys.”
Orlovsky’s point about left tackle Vederian Lowe and right tackle Morgan Moses getting help and being able to “get their hands” on Giants edge defenders is significant. Lowe in particular needed the help while he filled in for injured 2025 NFL draft fourth-overall pick Will Campbell as Maye’s blindside protector.
Lowe performed admirably while “going 1-on-1 with Giants pass-rushers Abdul Carter and Brian Burns in 26 matchups. Lowe allowed three hurries in the first half, all to speed rushes (dip-rip). However, he settled in as the game wore on and didn’t allow any pressure in the second half,” according to Patriots.com Staff Writer Evan Lazar.
Filling in for Campbell, who’s dealing with a knee problem, was always going to be a tough assignment, but Lowe was well prepared. He was also able to take chances with quick get-offs because of the support from chipping running backs and tight ends.
Backfield blockers helped Maye step into a 13-yard throw to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, but better was to follow thanks to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ smart and consistent protection plan.
Drake Maye Using Solid Platform for Success
McDaniels knows a good protection scheme is the foundation for every successful play. He’s simply reusing the same formula that helped Tom Brady become arguably the greatest quarterback in the history of the game.
It was common during Brady’s day for the Patriots to double up against the Pittsburgh Steelers and their 3-4 defense, led by blitzing bookend outside linebackers. Just like the Pats would often field two tight ends against the Indianapolis Colts and rapid rush ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
An identical blueprint is worked for Maye when the second-year pro connected with rookie wideout Kyle Williams for a 33-yard touchdown.
The Patriots had tight end Hunter Henry (85) chip Giants’ edge Burns (0), while Stevenson (38) hit No. 3 draft pick Carter on the other side.
Those blocks not only allowed the rest of New England’s offensive line to engulf the interior of the Giants’ front seven. McDaniels’ double-chip strategy also afforded Maye time to set his feet and launch an accurate moon ball from an undisturbed pocket.
This blocking setup is a brilliant two-hander that’s helping Maye produce big plays through the air consistently. Like when he “completed 6 of 8 passes beyond 10 air yards for 117 yards and a touchdown in Week 13. He has completed a league-leading 88 such passes this season for 1,865 yards, over 200 more than any other quarterback,” per Next Gen Stats.
His best case to win more awards comes from a protection plan that may be the most underrated factor behind the Patriots’ 11-2 record.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post EX-NFL QB Praises Patriots Drake Maye Protection Plan appeared first on Heavy Sports.