This week’s episode recaps the Patriots’ Divisional Round win over Houston and previews the AFC Championship in Denver. How can New England’s defense rattle Jarrett Stidham? How will Drake Maye navigate the Broncos’ aggressive defense? Check out the latest Patriots Roundtable Podcast to find out.
The Patriots’ storybook season rolls on, and this week’s episode of the Patriots Roundtable Podcast is all about what comes next: an AFC Championship trip to Mile High with a Super Bowl LX berth on the line.
We open with a review of New England’s 28-16 Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans — a game that felt like a reflection of Mike Vrabel’s culture, and the style of football this team has adopted in the playoffs.
The Patriots’ defense didn’t just play well. They flipped the outcome with takeaways, pressure, and a level of physicality that’s now become the defining trait of this postseason run. Four first-half interceptions, five total takeaways, and a pick-six turned a heavyweight defensive matchup into another January statement. C.J. Stroud never looked comfortable, and once the Patriots dictated the script, Houston was forced to live in obvious passing situations — exactly where New England’s defense has been most lethal.
Offensively, it wasn’t perfect, but it was resilient — and that’s the part worth focusing on in the playoffs. Drake Maye dealt with his own pressure and ball-security issues, but when the critical moments arrived, he delivered — highlighted by a fourth-quarter touchdown strike to Kayshon Boutte that turned a tense game into a two-possession lead. We talk through what worked, what still needs cleaning up, and why Maye’s ability to respond to adversity is becoming a defining edge for this team.
From there, we transition to a preview of this year’s AFC Championship Game: Patriots-Broncos in Denver — and it’s a fascinating clash of identities.
On one side: a Patriots defense that has been playing historically good football, pressuring quarterbacks at an outrageous rate and forcing mistakes with both scheme and execution. On the other: a Broncos offense now forced to pivot after Bo Nix’s season-ending ankle injury, with Jarrett Stidham stepping in cold for the biggest start of his career. Denver still has structure — Sean Payton, a strong offensive line, and talented players in the backfield and outside — but Stidham hasn’t thrown a pass in a game since 2023, and New England’s defensive approach has been ruthless against less-than-settled quarterbacks. We break down where the Patriots can press Denver’s pressure points, and how New England can force Stidham to play faster than he wants to.
Then comes the other headline: Denver’s defense. It’s aggressive, it’s man-heavy, and it’s built to get to the quarterback. Nik Bonitto and that pass rush can wreck a game by themselves, and the Broncos are more than willing to heat you up with blitz looks behind tight coverage. That puts the spotlight right back on the core question of the week: can the Patriots protect Maye and protect the football? If New England can survive early downs, stay committed to the run, and keep Maye playing on schedule, the opportunities will be there — even against an elite unit.
We close with game predictions and a final reflection on what this Patriots run has become heading into the AFC Championship.
How do you think New England should attack Denver? How confident are you that the Patriots will advance to Super Bowl LX? Let us know in the comment section below.
Follow the Patriots Roundtable Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for weekly Patriots recaps and previews, and visit Roundtable.io for more coverage all week.
–
Patriots Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Patriots. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
–
Follow the Patriots Roundtable Podcast!