As the NFL named Drake Maye among its MVP finalists, Colin Cowherd ranked the New England Patriots quarterback behind two Denver Broncos stars when handicapping his top players in the AFC Championship Game.
Cowerd placed Maye, who will likely finish first or second to Matthew Stafford in the MVP voting, No. 3 in his top-10 players from Sunday’s matchup. The Fox Sports host predicted on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” that the rising 23-year-old passer will keep getting better, but he also noted that Maye hasn’t had the cleanest postseason.
Maye has thrown an interception in each Patriots victory and lost three of six fumbles. He’s also amassed 447 passing yards, four touchdowns and 76 rushing yards in playoff wins over two top-five defenses.
“I don’t even think he’s in his prime,” Cowherd said of Maye. “I don’t even think, so far, he’s been great in the playoffs.”
Cowherd gave the No. 2 spot to Pro Bowl edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who tallied 14 sacks in the regular season and forced two Josh Allen fumbles in Denver’s second-round win over the Buffalo Bills.
“Outside of Myles Garrett, he’s the only player with 13-plus sacks the last two years,” Cowherd noted of Bonitto. “And he’ll probably get one this weekend … It feels like he’s getting better every year of his career, and he is a dog in big moments.”
Cowherd ranked star cornerback Patrick Surtain II as his best player in the AFC Championship Game. Meanwhile, Christian Gonzalez was No. 8.
“You can make the argument he’s the best corner,” Cowherd said of Surtain. “Reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Four-time Pro Bowler last four years. Voted the No. 10 player in the league by other players.”
Mike Onwenu (No. 10) and Stefon Diggs (No. 5) were the only other Patriots to make Cowherd’s top 10. Denver guard Quinn Meinerz placed No. 4. Offensive tackle Garett Bolles (No. 6) and defensive tackle (No. 7) Zach Allen landed between Diggs and Gonzalez, and wide receiver Courtland Sutton garnered the No. 9 designation.
His list favors the Broncos, and some Patriots fans may feel Cowherd slighted Maye. However, the host still cited New England’s quarterback edge as the main reason the AFC East champions could prevail on the road.
“New England, at the most important position, has a sizeable advantage,” Cowherd said. “Drake Maye over Jarrett Stidham. And I think that’s the difference in the game.”
