DENVER — In Denver, the New England Patriots commanded the NFL for nearly twenty years, experiencing a significant decline before swiftly regaining their strength.
The festivity marking the conclusion of the Patriots’ dynastic reign has ended, potentially ushering in fresh grievances concerning a new period of supremacy. With Mike Vrabel, a top contender for NFL Coach of the Year, and Drake Maye, an NFL MVP finalist, at the helm, the Patriots are advancing to Super Bowl LX, having triumphed over the Denver Broncos with a 10-7 score in a snow-laden, chaotic AFC championship matchup.
They’ll face the Seattle Seahawks, victors of the NFC championship contest against the Los Angeles Rams, securing a 31-27 win on Sunday evening.
The Patriots’ display was far from polished, yet the Broncos were without their primary quarterback, Bo Nix, due to a season-ending ankle injury sustained the previous week.
Jarrett Stidham committed a critical error with a turnover late in the initial half, which dramatically altered the course of the match. Following this, the Patriots scored their inaugural touchdown. As the weather transformed the playing surface into a slippery, snow-covered arena during the latter half, this early score proved pivotal, hindering both teams’ ability to advance the ball. Nix’s absence for Denver was influential, but the Patriots ensured Stidham would not overcome them, and the elements likewise played a role.
New England finished with identical 4-13 records in the preceding two campaigns. Their team composition was in dire straits, although Maye’s inaugural year in 2024 offered a glimmer of optimism. During the recent offseason, the Patriots engaged Vrabel, made substantial free-agent acquisitions, and conducted a successful draft. Consequently, they are now heading to the Super Bowl for the twelfth occasion, marking their first appearance since Tom Brady guided them to a title concluding the 2018 regular season.
This squad features a completely different lineup compared to the former Patriots dynasty. Following only a few seasons dedicated to rebuilding after the Brady and Bill Belichick epoch, New England has reascended to the pinnacle of the AFC. The Brady-Belichick era gained its pivotal momentum during the controversial tuck rule encounter with the Raiders, a dramatic, snow-covered contest from which the Patriots emerged victorious. Perhaps this serves as an omen for the current version of the Patriots.
Jarrett Stidham’s first half performance: moments of brilliance and blunders
Stidham required an impactful play early on, possibly to settle his nerves and certainly to appease the spectators. He delivered during Denver’s second possession. Stidham’s initial three throws were incomplete, yet his fourth attempt was significant—a 52-yard advancement from a well-executed deep pass to Marvin Mims Jr. His subsequent throw, following a play-action fake, connected with Courtland Sutton, who was undefended in the end zone, for a 6-yard touchdown. This marked Stidham’s first touchdown completion since January 7, 2024, when he linked up with Jerry Jeudy for a 24-yard score versus the Raiders.
New England Patriots signal-caller Drake Maye (10) executes a handoff versus the Denver Broncos during the latter period of the AFC Championship NFL contest, Sunday, January 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Conversely, Drake Maye’s performance began sluggishly. He completed only 3 out of 6 passes for a mere 7 yards in the initial quarter, incurred a sack, and likely avoided an interception on New England’s opening drive. Maye entered as an MVP contender but failed to demonstrate that caliber early. The offensive unit led by the seldom-utilized backup accumulated 92 yards in the first quarter, while the offense directed by one of the NFL’s premier regular-season quarterbacks managed just 12.
However, Stidham committed a significant misjudgment in the second period. While under duress, he attempted a chest pass to avert a sack. His throw traveled backward, resulting in a fumble. The Patriots recovered, although their subsequent touchdown return was nullified as the play had been called dead. Nevertheless, it proved inconsequential, as Maye executed a 6-yard quarterback draw for a touchdown, leveling the score.
The Broncos committed several errors, with Stidham’s fumble being the most detrimental. They opted against a field-goal try on a fourth-and-1 situation, instead attempting a pass, which Stidham threw incomplete while under pressure. They also failed on a field-goal attempt with twenty seconds remaining in the opening half. Despite extensively outplaying the Patriots in numerous aspects, the Broncos found themselves in a 7-7 deadlock at intermission. New England, having started poorly, likely felt quite satisfied with this outcome.
Subsequently, the meteorological conditions deteriorated, rendering the playing surface into an impassable quagmire.
Denver sees snow at the onset of the second half
Upon the teams’ return from the locker room for the latter half, snowfall had begun. New England resolved to emphasize their ground attack. Primarily employing rushing plays, augmented by a 28-yard scramble from Maye and a quarterback sneak on a fourth-and-1, New England executed its most successful drive to commence the second half. Though the Broncos contained them within the 10-yard line, the Patriots secured a field goal to establish a lead. They were lucky to achieve this advantage before the field conditions deteriorated significantly.
By the conclusion of the third quarter, snow had blanketed the entire playing area. For a Broncos offense reliant on its reserve quarterback, the meteorological conditions exacerbated Denver’s difficulties in advancing the football. Following two Broncos punts to open the second half, Stidham’s long pass to Mims and the touchdown connection with Sutton, which occurred under bright and clear skies, felt as though they belonged to a distinct game from previous weeks.
The Broncos possessed an opportunity to equalize the contest with under five minutes remaining. A poorly executed punt granted them favorable field positioning, but their offense failed to secure a first down. Attempting a 46-yard field goal amidst dreadful weather, the kick was blocked.
The Broncos regained possession after the Patriots opted for three rushing plays followed by a punt, but their chances of marching the length of the field and scoring appeared minimal. Denver was compelled to attempt a desperate play, and when Stidham launched a deep pass, it was intercepted by Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez with 2:11 remaining. This play virtually secured New England’s berth in the Super Bowl. Maye’s first-down carry with 1:51 left effectively sealed the victory.
Throughout the offseason, the Broncos will likely ponder the alternative outcomes had Nix remained uninjured, or if the snowfall had, at minimum, afforded Stidham and their offensive unit a fairer opportunity in the latter period. The Patriots, conversely, were simply ecstatic to advance, anticipating considerably more favorable weather conditions in Santa Clara for their upcoming match.
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Ian Casselberry
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Ian Casselberry
New England: Total offensive output of 206 yards
Drake Maye: 10 completions on 21 attempts for 86 passing yards, alongside 10 rushing attempts for 65 yards and a touchdown
Rhamondre Stevenson: Contributed 71 yards on 25 carries
Mack Hollins: Recorded 2 receptions for 51 yardsDenver: Accumulation of 181 total offensive yards
Jarrett Stidham’s performance: 17 completions from 31 passes for 133 yards, with one touchdown and one interception
RJ Harvey: Gained 37 yards on 13 carries
Marvin Mims Jr.: Had 4 catches for 62 yards -
Ian Casselberry
Drake Maye executed three kneeldowns following Denver’s 5-yard encroachment infraction, effectively expiring the game clock. The Patriots thus concluded with a 10-7 triumph over the Broncos, securing the AFC championship title.
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Ian Casselberry
D.J. Jones incurred an encroachment penalty, ceding 5 yards to the Patriots, which allowed them to run down the game clock.
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Ian Casselberry
Presented with a third-and-6 scenario at 1:57 remaining, Drake Maye simulated a handoff, then rolled left, rushing for 7 yards to secure a Patriots’ first down.
Denver was compelled to expend their last timeout, a move that likely ensured New England’s victory.
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Ian Casselberry
Rhamondre Stevenson advanced 4 yards on first-and-10, leading the contest into the 2-minute warning.
The Patriots faced a second-and-6 situation at their own 40-yard line. Denver retained a single timeout.
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Ian Casselberry
After a last-ditch 1-yard completion to RJ Harvey, Jarrett Stidham’s attempt at a deep pass to Marvin Mims Jr. was intercepted.
Christian Gonzalez secured the interception on the underthrown ball, and the Patriots gained possession at their 36-yard line, with 2:11 left in the final quarter.
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Ian Casselberry
Offensive progression remained arduous for both teams amid the snowfall. New England failed to achieve a first down following three rushing attempts by Rhamondre Stevenson, yielding only 1 yard.
Bryce Baringer’s 31-yard punt forced the Broncos to start their drive at their own 32-yard line, with 3:05 left in the matchup.
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Ian Casselberry
Wil Lutz’s 45-yard field goal effort in the snowy conditions was unsuccessful, occurring after the Broncos failed to secure a first down. Leonard Taylor III of New England seemed to deflect the kick.
The Patriots commenced their offensive series at their 36-yard line, with 4:42 left in the fourth quarter.
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Ian Casselberry
New England registered a net loss of 1 yard on their subsequent possession, as Rhamondre Stevenson amassed 2 yards after Drake Maye’s 3-yard scramble loss. Maye’s third-and-11 pass was incomplete, compelling the Patriots to punt.
Denver began their drive at the New England 33-yard line, succeeding a 26-yard punt from Bryce Baringer.
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Ian Casselberry
Offensive production remained challenging for the Broncos.
Denver achieved some momentum in their running game, securing a first down, but two consecutive incomplete passes from Jarrett Stidham, followed by a 4-yard gain on third-and-10, obliged the Broncos to punt once more.
The Patriots gained possession at their 8-yard line, subsequent to a 45-yard punt by Jeremy Crawshaw.
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Ian Casselberry
The decision by CBS correspondent Evan Washburn to allow snow to accumulate on his impressive hairstyle demonstrated considerable resolve. It highlighted that football players were not the sole individuals displaying resilience on the field that day.
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Ian Casselberry
As articulated by CBS’s Tracy Wolfson during the broadcast, the Patriots’ offensive drives were directly confronting the snowfall.
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Ian Casselberry
The Patriots steadily accumulated rushing yardage on their subsequent drive, as Rhamondre Stevenson amassed 17 yards across three carries.
Nevertheless, Drake Maye was tackled behind the line of scrimmage by Jonathan Cooper for a 7-yard loss on a third-and-4 play, effectively halting the drive at the New England 30-yard line.
Denver regained possession at their own 30-yard line following Bryce Baringer’s 40-yard punt.
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Ian Casselberry
Denver was presently unable to muster significant offensive output amidst the snowy environment. Jarrett Stidham’s third-and-7 pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey was incomplete, forcing the Broncos to punt.
Jeremy Crawshaw delivered a 60-yard kick for a touchback, granting the Patriots possession at their 20-yard line, with 14:11 left in the fourth quarter.
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Ian Casselberry
The Patriots’ offensive possession faltered subsequent to the substantial 31-yard reception by Mack Hollins. Three ensuing plays yielded only 3 yards, compelling New England to attempt a field goal.
Nonetheless, Andy Borregales’ 46-yard field goal try, made through the snowfall, drifted wide to the right.
Denver gained control of the ball at their 37-yard line, with 11 seconds left in the third quarter.
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Ian Casselberry
Drake Maye defied the snowy conditions, executing a 31-yard completion to Mack Hollins via a second-and-6 flea flicker play originating from the Patriots’ 38-yard line.
New England earned a first down at the Denver 31-yard line following this significant play, where Maye successfully delivered the ball over two Broncos defensive players.
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Ian Casselberry
The meteorological conditions threatened to become a decisive element entering the fourth quarter, as the snowfall intensified in Denver.
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Ian Casselberry
Denver was unable to respond to New England’s field goal, managing only 6 yards over three plays on their subsequent possession.
The Patriots commenced their drive at their 21-yard line, subsequent to a 52-yard punt from Jeremy Crawshaw and a 2-yard return by Marcus Jones.
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Ian Casselberry
Following the ruling of a first down, the Patriots were unable to advance further towards the end zone. Two rushing attempts by Rhamondre Stevenson, including a direct snap to him on a deceptive play, accumulated 4 yards.
However, Drake Maye was tackled behind the line of scrimmage by Jonathan Cooper for a 2-yard loss on third-and-3 from the Denver 3-yard line, compelling New England to opt for a field goal.
Andy Borregales successfully converted a 23-yard kick, giving the Patriots the lead.
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Ian Casselberry
A narrowly contested decision was affirmed subsequent to a replay review, granting the Patriots a first down via a quarterback sneak executed by Drake Maye.
On the CBS broadcast, Gene Steratore expressed a preference for a chain measurement, given that one was not conducted.
