Maye-day call saves Patriots

DRAKE HAILS DEFENCE AFTER BRUTAL BATTLE

- BY KEITH WEBSTER

DRAKE MAYE battled through snow and a brutal Houston defence to put New England one game away from a first Super Bowl since the Tom Brady era.

The Patriots quarterback threw three touchdown passes to help see off the Texans 28-16, but was quick to praise the defence for winning the game.

They now head to Denver on Sunday to face the Broncos for a place in Super Bowl LX. And Maye warned: “It's going to keep on getting tougher.

“We keep on playing great defences with great quarterbacks, and teams that deserve to be here. That's why we feel like we deserve to be here. We know we'll have to be at our best in critical moments.