The stage is set for an epic showdown between two of the best quarterbacks in the league to go head-to-head in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. Drake Maye and the New England Patriots will play host to Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, January 11.
It will be a matchup that will be defined by the quarterbacks, with both Maye and Herbert looking to put their stamp on this game at Gillette Stadium.
Drake Maye Opens Up on Facing Justin Herbert in the Playoffs
GettyJustin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers
Ahead of the playoff showdown between Maye and Herbert, the Patriots’ rising star talked about whether he has a relationship with the face of the Chargers and the respect he has for him.
“I don’t know if I’ve met Justin,” Maye said during media availability. “I don’t think I have. I know him through people and heard great things. Obviously, I love his game. I love the way he throws the football. He throws at a really high level. He can make plays on the move, can make plays off platform, can launch it. I think just the way he holds himself and cares about his teammates, he’s really good for the team and not about himself. I have a lot of respect for Justin and how he plays the game and plays at a really high level.”
Along with Maye, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel knows that his team will have its work cut out for it to try to contain Herbert during this upcoming playoff game.
“We’ll get ready and get rolling and try to do what we do every week, which is prepare and figure out who we have available and what we feel like the keys are going to be and try to practice and be ready to go,” Vrabel said. “That’s all we’ve done all year, and that’s all we’ll be able to do this week in the playoffs.”
The Patriots are currently favored (-3.5) to come out on top in this battle between AFC heavyweights, with New England riding a three-game win streak and looking as locked in as they have all season long.
NFL Playoffs: Date & Time Revealed for Patriots vs. Chargers
GettyDrake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots
The Patriots now know when they’ll play the Chargers in the Wild Card round, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network revealing the date and time for this matchup.
New England hosting Herbert and company will be one of three playoff games played on Sunday, January 11, and the final matchup of the three-game set, following the San Francisco 49ers‘ game against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
There will be a total of six playoff games during the upcoming Wild Card Weekend, spanning from Saturday, January 10, to Monday, January 12, with the final game being Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium after a thriller against the Baltimore Ravens that decided the AFC North division crown.
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