Patriots' Drake Maye reacts to brutal Bo Nix injury after clinching AFC championship showdown vs. Broncos

Even before the New England Patriots clinched a trip to the upcoming AFC Championship Game via a 28-16 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, some of the juice related to the conference title contest was lost when it was learned that Denver starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle late in his team's victory over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

Following Sunday's result, second-year New England quarterback and 2025 MVP candidate Drake Maye spoke about Nix's brutal injury.

Drake Maye hoping Bo Nix bounces back from tough injury

"Got to train with Bo before the predraft," Maye said about Nix, per the Patriots' website. "Got to know him and his family and his wife. First off, they're just great people, great Christians. Really enjoy being around Bo Nix and his family. Obviously, the news, it's heartbreaking for what a player he is, the guy he is. And just know, praying for Bo. I know he's going to bounce back. He's a great player in this league. Look forward to matching up with him. We had one in college, and he got the best of me. I know he'll bounce back. I know they've got a good team. Should be a tough one next week."

On Sunday, Broncos head coach Sean Payton expressed confidence that backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham "will be ready to go for" the showdown versus the Patriots. Stidham hasn't started or attempted a pass in a regular-season contest since the 2023 campaign. 

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Patriots as 5.5-point road favorites for the Jan. 25 matchup that will occur in Denver. Regardless of the line, Maye isn't simply assuming he and his teammates can begin planning to play in Super Bowl LX.

Drake Maye warns Patriots to not overlook Bo Nix-less Broncos

"It's going to keep on getting tougher," Maye added about New England's ongoing postseason journey. "We keep on playing great defenses with great quarterbacks and teams that deserve to be here. That's what we feel like we deserve to be here, and we've got times where we know we'll have to be at our best in critical moments. It comes down -- it's going to come down to the end and come down to making plays when you have them. I've just got to keep on giving our guys chances to make plays. I like our chances with those guys in the locker room. It's fun to be with those guys, fun to show up here and just glad the season keeps on going. Hopefully, it goes for a good while longer."

Credit Maye for not taking any premature victory laps on Sunday. That said, he and others within the Patriots will likely feel they let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers if they fall to the Stidham-led Broncos on the final Sunday of January.