The Patriots and Broncos battled back and forth in a low-scoring defensive AFC Championship on Sunday, and it was the Patriots who made the key plays late, hanging on for a snowy 10-7 win.
Yards were hard to come by for both teams for most of the contest, as the game was tied at 7-7 at halftime. The Patriots took the opening possession of the third quarter on a 16-play drive that would prove to be the ultimate difference in the game.
That drive ended with a just a field goal, but with snow descending upon the game and conditions rapidly deteriorating, it was enough for the Patriots defense to hold. Christian Gonzalez's interception just before the final two-minute warning helped put the game away, while Drake Maye finished it the way he did the most damage, with a scramble.
New England wins their first AFC Championship since 2018 and will now represent the AFC in Super Bowl LX in San Francisco. It will be the Patriots 12th trip to the playoffs, extending their NFL record.
Here's how the Pats punched their ticket to the big game!
1. Big Play Broncos
The Patriots won the opening toss and deferred their choice to the second half, and both teams were slow in getting started, trading three-and-out punts to begin the game. It appeared the Patriots might force a second three-and-out when they got to 3rd-and-10 on Denver's second possession, but Stidham had time in the pocket and uncorked a downfield pass to Marvin Mims that was complete for 52 yards. Two plays later, Stidham hit Courtland Sutton for with a touchdown pass along the back end line of the end zone to give Denver an early 7-0 lead.
New England's defense couldn't deliver a red-zone stop as the big play led to the first score of the game.
2. Red Zone Fourth-Down Stop
After the score, the teams would revert to trading punts. The Patriots struggled to find a rhythm, with Maye taking his first sack of the game, which led to New England's second three-and-out in their first three possessions. The Patriots had just 12 total net yards on 12 plays and picked up only one first down in the first quarter, while on the defensive side of the ball, captain Robert Spillane headed to the locker room with an injury.
Denver found their offensive stride on their fourth possession of the game, mixing successful runs and short passes, and even an RPO for Stidham to get back into the Patriots red zone. Left with a 4th-and-1 from the Patriots 20-yard line, Broncos coach Sean Payton went for it, but that's when the Patriots defense made their first big play of the game, forcing an incompletion.
It was a key moment for the Patriots, who were about to be looking up at a two-score deficit. Instead, their sound red zone defense produced a turnover on downs.
3. Turnover Gets Pats Points
The Patriots offensive struggles continued. Mack Hollins came through with a 20-yard catch on a 3rd-and-13 to nearly double their offensive yardage, but Maye took his third sack of the day on the next third down, and once again the Pats were punting.
Denver responded by starting to drive the ball, but they'd face a critical 3rd-and-4 deep in their own territory. The Patriots defense sent the house on a blitz and Stidham kept backing up to buy time. When he finally pushed the ball out as Christian Elliss closed in, the pass went backwards, and rookie Christian Ponder scooped it up. Initially ruled an incomplete pass, the call was reversed, and New England was awarded possession after the game's first turnover.
Two plays later, Maye took it in himself on a QB draw for the Patriots first points of the game. The turnover came at a critical time, with Denver largely controlling the first half play, and the offense made sure it counted. The score was 7-7 just before the two-minute warning of the first half.
4. Missed Kicks Just Before Halftime
Denver continued to put pressure on New England at the end of the second quarter. Even after the Patriots defense forced another punt, Maye and the offense pitched their third three-and-out of the half, unable to find their offensive stride. They punted for the fifth time,
Back with the ball, Stidham and the Broncos crossed midfield, picking up one first down before they stalled out at the New England 34. Instead of going for another fourth-down attempt, Denver went for the field goal, but the 54-yarder was wide right.
That gave Maye another crack at it with good field position at the New England 44, but he'd only be able to muster a 16-yard scramble to give rookie Andy Borregales an attempt at a 63-yard field goal. That one also fell incomplete.
The 7-7 tie held into halftime. The 52-yard reception by Mims and the turnover by Stidham were the defining plays as both offenses struggled to mount consistent drives.
5. Pats Take a 10-7 Lead
The Patriots got the ball to open the third quarter, and they'd put together their best drive of the day, powered by Rhamondre Stevenson, who converted a 3rd-and-1 on the ground and delivered a 12-yard run. Maye chipped in a 28-yard scramble on a 3rd-and-10 to get into Denver territory. It wasn't easy, but the Pats chipped their way down the field.
The drive came up on a 4th-and-1 from the Denver 8-yard line, and Maye tried to pick it up with a QB sneak. It was close, but Maye was ruled to have picked up the one yard needed after review, and the Pats were knocking on the door, deep in Denver's red area.
But that's where the drive would stall, just five yards from the end zone as Maye was sacked again and the Pats were forced to settle for a field goal. That made it 10-7 Patriots, while the 16-play drive ate up almost 10 minutes of game clock in the third quarter.
6. Pats Miss Three More
The Pats kept the momentum, forcing another Denver three-and-out, then putting together a second-straight impressive drive. Maye continued to do the most damage with his legs, adding another 13-yard scramble, but he also found success through the air, completing a flea flicker for 31 yards to Mack Hollins.
But the drive fizzled out in Denver's high red zone, making the Patriots settle for a field goal attempt, now with snow coming down. Borregales' 46-yard field goal went wide right, and the Patriots failed to extend their lead.
That took the game into the fourth quarter, with New England clinging to a 10-7 lead.
7. Denver Dominating Field Position Late
Both teams would start the fourth quarter trading punts as the snow continued to build in intensity. Denver picked up their first first down of the second half, but they'd stall out again for a third time and kick the ball back to New England.
With the wind at their backs, the Broncos made the most of their punt, pinning the Patriots inside their 10-yard line with just over eight minutes to play. The pressure was on Maye and the Pats to flip that field position with the snow blowing in their faces. When Rhamondre Stevenson slipped on first down, it backed the Pats up even more. It was a quick three-and-out for New England, and things got even tougher when Bryce Baringer's punt from the end zone was mishit and only made it to the Patriots 33-yard line.
The Patriots defense took the field with their backs against the wall, the wind in their faces and seven minutes remaining. They'd deny Denver a first down and then watch as Denver kicker Will Lutz had his field goal attempt blocked by Leonard Taylor, a recurring practice squad call-up who has earned praise from head coach Mike Vrabel throughout the season.
8. Pats Close It Out
The Patriots offense stayed conservative with the weather making any throw difficult, keeping the clock running with three-straight runs. Once again, they'd kick it back to Denver, now with 3:11 left. Stidham took back over at the Denver 32, only needing a field goal to tie the game up.
But two plays later, Christian Gonzalez picked off a floater from Stidham. It was the play of the game and with just 2:11 left, left the Patriots offense needing just one first down to close out the win.
Maye would get that first down with his legs, converting a final 3rd-and-5 with a scramble that sent the Patriots to Santa Clara.
9. Patriots are headed to Super Bowl LX
With the win, the Patriots secure their 12th AFC Championship in franchise history and will appear in their league-leading 12th Super Bowl, their first since winning Super Bowl LIII during the 2018 season. It's hard to comprehend this Patriots meteoric rise from the ashes of back-to-back four-win seasons.
The 2025 Patriots were a perfect 9-0 in true road games this season, one better than even the 2007 Patriots, who had an undefeated regular season but never played a road playoff game. The 2025 Pats also become the first Patriots team in franchise history to win a playoff game in Denver. Their previous losses came in 1986, 2005, 2013, and 2015.
Every offseason move paid off for New England. From the hiring of Mike Vrabel and his support staff of coaches and executives, to a homerun free agency class and a draft class that added significant contributors in every round, there were no missteps. Add in Drake Maye's rapid ascension with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and that's why the '25 New England Patriots took back the AFC East title, won two home playoff games, then knocked off the top-seeded Broncos.
The Patriots now await the winner of the late NFC Championship, where they'll see a Super Bowl rematch either way, whether it's the Seahawks or the Rams. Either team can be expected to provide a significant challenge for New England, with Los Angeles led by the other MVP front-runner Matthew Stafford, and Seattle led by one of the NFL's best defenses as well as its most productive receiver. Both potential opponents feature significant star power and should make for a fantastic Super Bowl LX matchup.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
