Cover 6 has become a buzz phrase in the buildup to Super Bowl LX as the defense Drake Maye hates facing, but the New England Patriots quarterback isn’t worried about how often the Seattle Seahawks might use the scheme in the big game because he has a plan.
Maye’s weakness against Cover 6 has gained traction as a pre-game storyline because of how well opponents exploited it during the regular season. Specifically, how effectively the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens used the elaborate zone-based structure to frustrate Maye.
His answer to the growing talk about the Seahawks potentially having his kryptonite is revealing about how the Pats plan to play against Cover 6. Maye told reporters, including NBCS Boston’s Phil Perry, “I think it’s become a thing in the league more and more the past couple of years to play quarter-quarter-half. Whether it’s something that they cloud the boundary, they cloud the field, it’s kinda depending on what the team does. The challenge is they try to stay two high and take away deep shots, but also you got chances underneath. There’s holes in every coverage. Knowing that, and just trying to exploit where we can. Knowing that we got guys out there that have great feel in zone and can find the zones, and try to sit down. And also we gotta be able to run the football.”
That answer bodes well for the Patriots adding to their illustrious history in Super Bowls. So do hidden reasons for optimism about Maye going against Cover 6, spelled out by a former first-round pick in the NFL draft.
Patriots Can Lean on Familiar Super Bowl Gameplan
Throwing short passes underneath and having receivers “sit down” on shallow routes are core concepts in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ playbook. Along with heavy doses of power running, they formed the basis for how the Patriots won six Super Bowls with Tom Brady as QB1.
Brady’s a different quarterback to Maye, who has more of a gunslinger’s mentality. Something Seattle’s preference for Cover 6 will test.
McDaniels needs Maye to play a more patient game and take what the defense gives him underneath. Fortunately, there’s a silver lining or two for the Patriots among Maye’s mediocre numbers against quarter, quarter-half.
Drake Maye Can Fare Better Than Expected vs. Seahawks Coverage
The Seahawks using Cover 6 25 percent of the time, according to “Foxborough Fellas Podcast host” Pete Collins, means Maye can expect to see the coverage often at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, February 8.
There’s no need for the Patriots to fear the look, based on former NFL safety Adam Archuleta’s interpretation of the numbers. Archuleta pointed out the danger “with analytics talk claiming Cover 6 “unlocks” shutting down Drake Maye vs. the Bills. Film study shows: Of 13 “C6″ plays – 4 in 2-minute (obvious pass), – 1 trick (double pass complete), – 1 boot with immediate pressure, – INT on 3rd & 25 (deep ball – used as a punt) – only ~8 real C6 dropbacks to evaluate. Some good, some not – Always need film to add context. Something worth studying further, but not enough there for me to say Maye has an issue with Cover 6. I will study other games.”
This re-reading of Maye’s stats against Cover 6 shows situational football had as big a role as any in how he fared throwing into the zones. So the Seahawks using the system won’t automatically derail New England’s star signal-caller.
Whatever the real truth is beneath the numbers, Maye’s best bet will still be attacking the short areas. Option routes for slot receivers DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism III, along with tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, ought to be his go-to adjustment. So should finding running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson in the flat.
If Maye stays patient, while McDaniels also finds a way to dent one of the league’s toughest run defenses, the Patriots will have answers for anything the Seahawks call.
Drake Maye Reveals Patriots Super Bowl Plan for Defense He Hates