Is Drake Maye worried about Patriots' woeful history of road playoff games vs. Broncos?

Going back to January 1987, the New England Patriots have gone 0-4 in road playoff games versus the Denver Broncos. Understandably, that history has some Patriots fans fearing the worst regarding the club's upcoming AFC Championship clash versus the Broncos that will be held in Denver. 

During a Monday appearance on Boston sports radio station WEEI, second-year New England quarterback Drake Maye suggested he's not losing sleep over what happened in the franchise's past. 

Drake Maye says Patriots' past "is in the past" ahead of latest playoff game at Broncos

"It’s a great place to play," Maye said about Denver, per Conor Ryan of Boston.com. "I know the fans are great, and I know they’ve got a great team. They’ve got some great players. And I know the altitude is a little different for us and some of the skill players running around. But I think the big thing is it’s a different team. It’s a new team —  the past is in the past. And I think we’re living in the present and not worried about really anything else. We’re worried about Sunday’s game and control what we can do as the team that we are this year: the 2025 Patriots." 

Patriots legend Tom Brady lost road playoff starts against the Broncos in 2016, 2014 and 2006. That said, many expect New England to take care of business this coming weekend for reasons that go beyond the fact that the Patriots finished this past regular season with a perfect 8-0 record on the road.

Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham is on track to start for Denver after QB1 Bo Nix suffered a broken bone in his ankle late in the Broncos' overtime win over the Buffalo Bills this past Saturday. As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Patriots as 5.5-point favorites for the conference title matchup. 

What Jarrett Stidham said to Drake Maye before the season

On Monday, first-year Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel revealed that New England considered acquiring Stidham last offseason. Later on Monday, Maye shared that he heard from Stidham before the campaign got underway. 

"I know that Jarrett’s a great player," Maye said. "He texted me before the season, Jarrett did. It just shows what type of guy he is. He wished me the best of luck. So, I wish him the best of luck, and looking forward to seeing how he does. Hopefully, we come out with a win." 

If the New England defense can make life difficult for Stidham early in this Sunday's game, Maye may not have to do all that much to ensure that he makes the first Super Bowl start of his young career in February.