After Sean Payton’s inflammatory comments, Drake Maye immediately fired back, turning the remarks into bulletin-board material ahead of the AFC Championship Game.
The buildup to the AFC Championship Game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos has taken on an extra edge — and it didn’t come from game film or schematic breakdowns. It came from words, and in the high-pressure environment of the conference title game, those words carry real weight.
Earlier this week, Broncos head coach Sean Payton sparked a minor firestorm when he casually referenced “two weeks of rest” during a media session. The comment was widely interpreted as a subtle — or perhaps not-so-subtle — look ahead to Super Bowl LX, implying that
Denver already viewed itself as the team to beat in the AFC and was mentally preparing for the big game in New Orleans. While some observers brushed it off as classic Payton confidence — the kind of bold, unapologetic swagger that has defined his coaching style — the remark did not go unnoticed inside the Patriots’ locker room in Foxborough.
This time, the response came from the most important voice on the field: second-year quarterback Drake Maye. When asked about Payton’s comment, Maye didn’t hesitate or deflect. Instead, he delivered a calm, measured, yet unmistakably pointed rebuttal that immediately gained traction across the league.
The Patriots’ head coach, Mike Vrabel, took a more measured approach when addressing the exchange. Vrabel declined to engage directly in the verbal back-and-forth, insisting that his team is already fully motivated without needing outside commentary to fuel them. “We’re focused on what we can control,” Vrabel said. “The motivation is already there — it’s the AFC Championship Game.” Still, the back-and-forth has only added another layer of tension to a matchup that was already loaded with stakes.
The verbal sparring has only heightened the anticipation for Sunday’s clash at Empower Field at Mile High. When the talking finally stops, one team will advance to Super Bowl LX, and the other will be left with nothing but words. The scoreboard will ultimately decide whose confidence was earned and whose became motivation for the opposition.
Adding to the intrigue, the Broncos received a significant boost this week when they officially activated veteran running back J.K. Dobbins from injured reserve. Dobbins, who has been sidelined since November after suffering a Lisfranc injury that required surgery, is now eligible to return for the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.
Denver opened Dobbins’ 21-day practice window earlier this week, and his progress has been encouraging. He participated as a limited player in recent practices, showing improved lateral quickness, confidence in planting on his surgically repaired foot, and the kind of burst that made him one of the league’s most efficient runners when healthy.
Head coach Sean Payton stopped short of confirming whether Dobbins will suit up on Sunday, but the decision to activate him sends a clear signal: the Broncos believe he is close to game-ready and could play a meaningful role in the biggest game of the season.
Over his NFL career, Dobbins has amassed 3,391 rushing yards and 26 total touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable and explosive back capable of changing games with his vision, patience, and big-play ability. His return would give Denver a major weapon in what is expected to be a run-heavy game plan designed to control the clock and keep Maye and the Patriots’ offense off the field.
Dobbins would also provide valuable depth and flexibility alongside rookie sensation RJ Harvey, whom Payton has repeatedly praised for his elusiveness, playmaking ability, and knack for creating explosive plays. Together, the duo would form a balanced and dangerous backfield, forcing New England’s defense to account for multiple threats in the ground game.
For the Broncos, getting Dobbins back at this stage is about more than raw numbers. It’s about trust, rhythm, and having proven talent available when the margins are razor-thin in a conference championship. His presence adds another dimension to an offense that has already shown it can move the ball effectively, and it bolsters the team’s overall confidence as they prepare to face a motivated Patriots squad.
As kickoff approaches, Denver enters the AFC Championship healthier, more confident, and with a veteran running back back in the mix — all while carrying the belief that they are the team to beat. New England, meanwhile, arrives with a young quarterback who has already shown he can respond to pressure with poise and a team that refuses to back down from any challenge — verbal or otherwise.
The buildup has been electric, the stakes are sky-high, and the game itself promises to deliver. When the ball is snapped, every comment, every activation, and every declaration of confidence will be settled on the field. One team will move on to Super Bowl LX. The other will head home with lessons learned — and plenty of motivation for next season.
