The New England Patriots advanced to the AFC Championship Game by holding off the Houston Texans, but quarterback Drake Maye's ball security is a glaring concern. Maye has fumbled six times in the playoffs, losing three, and leads the NFL with 14 fumbles this season. His recent struggles include four sacks and ten pressures in the last two games, putting the Patriots' Super Bowl hopes in jeopardy.

Denver's defense presents a formidable challenge, ranking first in the league with 71 sacks. The Broncos' aggressive front, led by Zach Allen's 47 quarterback hits, specializes in creating turnovers and has recorded seven takeaways in its past two games. New England's offensive line, particularly rookie left tackle Will Campbell, has been vulnerable, increasing the pressure on Maye to protect the football.

Coach Mike Vrabel has emphasized that ball security is a team-wide responsibility, not just Maye's. The Patriots' entire offense must improve its protection and decision-making to counter Denver's relentless pass rush. With the Broncos' red zone defense ranking second in the NFL, New England cannot afford costly mistakes if it hopes to reach the Super Bowl.