Patriots 10-7 Broncos, Drake Maye leads Pats to Super Bowl, summary: score, stats, highlights|AFC Championship
Drake Maye led the New England Patriots to victory over the Denver Broncos to notch their ticket to Super Bowl LX!
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Patriots defeat Broncos in AFC Title Game!
Pats outlast Broncos to head to Super Bowl LX
The New England Patriots are headed back to the Super Bowl, and they earned it the hard way.
In a frigid, snow-swirled AFC Championship at Empower Field at Mile High, the Patriots survived a defensive slugfest to knock off the Denver Broncos 10-7, grinding out a win. With snow intensifying in the second half and every yard contested, New England leaned on composure, defense, and timely quarterback play from Drake Maye to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LX, where they will face the winner of Rams-Seahawks.
The game opened with Denver striking first behind Jarrett Stidham, making his first start of the postseason in place of the injured Bo Nix. Stidham showed early poise, uncorking a 54-yard strike to Marvin Mims Jr. to set up a short touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton, giving the Broncos a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. It would be Denver's lone trip to the end zone.
From there, the weather, and the Patriots defense, took control. As snow flurries turned into steady snowfall after halftime, throwing conditions deteriorated and footing became treacherous. Maye didn't put up gaudy passing numbers (10-of-21, 86 yards), but his impact went far beyond the stat sheet. The quarterback consistently extended plays with his legs, rushing for 65 yards on 10 carries and scoring the Patriots’ only touchdown on a 6-yard scramble late in the second quarter after a Broncos turnover deep in their own territory.
That play proved pivotal. Denver had a chance to seize momentum late in the half, but Stidham was strip-sacked under pressure, coughing up the ball and handing New England prime field position. Two plays later, Maye powered into the end zone, tying the game at 7–7 and flipping the script before the break.
The second half became a survival test. Snow and wind wreaked havoc on both kickers. Andy Borregales and Wil Lutz combined to miss four field-goal attempts. And drives routinely stalled as players slipped along with timing. New England finally broke through early in the third quarter, riding a physical run-heavy march capped by a short Borregales field goal to take a 10–7 lead.
Stidham battled through the elements and pressure, finishing 17-of-31 for 133 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but Denver simply couldn’t find a response. The Patriots defense tightened in the fourth quarter, and with under four minutes to play, Christian Gonzalez stepped in front of a Stidham throw for the game-sealing interception, a moment that silenced the Denver crowd and all but ended the Broncos’ Super Bowl hopes.
Defensively, New England was relentless. The Patriots recorded three sacks, seven quarterback hits, and forced the game’s only turnover, while limiting Denver to 79 rushing yards on 24 carries. Carlton Davis, Christian Barmore, and Anfernee Jennings anchored the unit.
When Maye finally kneeled it out in the snow, it wasn’t pretty or flashy. But it was championship football, and it sent the Patriots to Super Bowl LX.
PATRIOTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!
Maye takes the knees and that's going to make it official. That PATRIOTS are heading to Super Bowl LX with a victory over the Broncos in Denver for the first time in NFL playoff history.
They will play either the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks.
Encroachment on Broncos' Jones - 1st and 5
Maye scrambles for 7 yards and he gets the 1st down! That is going to wind the clock down just enough to run it out on the next set of downs and start their prepping for the Super Bowl!
Broncos take final timeout
Stevenson gets nowhere - 3rd and 6
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
The Broncos have just 2 minutes to get the ball away from New England after turning it over and score again to win the game, or miss their chance at a Super Bowl berth.
Pats are in control, with the ball at their own 40 at 2nd and 6 with a 3-point lead.
Stevenson gains 4 yards - 2nd and 6 at the Pats 40
Uh-oh....Stidham's pass PICKED with minutes to go
Stidham pass INTERCEPTED by Gonzalez!!
Pats take over at their own 36
Stidham pass to Harvey caught but he gets just a yard - 2nd and 9
Baringer punts to the Broncos 32, out of bounds
Broncos take second timeout
Stevenson gets nowhere - 4th and 9
Stevenson stopped by Roach and Singleton for a loss of 1 - 3rd and 9
Stevenson gains 2 - 2nd and 8
Lutz FG attempt NO GOOD
Lutz misses his second field goal, this time from 45yards. It was actually BLOCKED by Taylor.
Pats take over at their own 35.
Stidham scrambles for 7 yards - 4th and 5
Harvey gets nowhere, stopped by Davis - 3rd and 12
Harvey tackled by Tonga for a loss of 2 - 2nd and 12
Baringer punts to the Pats 33, out of bounds
Maye pass incomplete - 4th and 11
Stevenson gains just 2, stopped by Surtain - 3rd and 11
Stevenson slipped on the field to miss the handoff and Maye kept the ball but fell for a loss of 3 - 2nd and 13
Crawshaw punts to the Pats 8, out of bounds
Stidham pass to Moore is caught but he gains just 4 - 4th and 6
Stidham pass incomplete to Engram - 3rd and 10
Stidham escapes a sack, throws the ball incomplete - 2nd and 10
Badie gains 3 yards for the 1st down
Harvey takes it again, but he's stopped by Ellis for no gain - 3rd and 1
Harvey bursts through for 9 yards - 2nd and 1
Baringer punts to the Broncos 30, out of bounds
Maye SACKED by Jones and Roach for a loss of 8 yards - 4th and 12
Stevenson takes it again and gains 4 - 3rd and 4
Stevenson picks up 2 - 2nd and 8
Stevenson breaks through for 11 yards - 1st down
Crawshaw punts to the end zone - Touchback to the Pats 35
Stidham pass to Mims is caught for a yard, but his next pass is incomplete to Humphrey - 4th and 7
END THIRD QUARTER
That takes us to the end of the third quarter. The Broncos and Pats will swap field positions, which is good news for Denver, who had the snow blowing right in their faces for the third quarter.
The Pats are up 10-7 but the Broncos now have the ball at 2nd and 8 at their own 39 following a missed field goal by the Pats on their last drive.
Harvey gains 2 yards, stopped by Jennings - 2nd and 8
Borregales FG attempt NO GOOD
Borregales missed his second field goal attempt, this time from 46 yards with snow coming down and wind blowing hard.
The Broncos will take over at their own 28.
Stevenson gets nowhere - 4th and 6
Maye pass incomplete - 3rd and 6
Scuffle on the field!
Stevenson gained 4, tackled by Singleton and Surtain with a mini scuffle at the end amongst them - 2nd and 6
Maye pass deep to Hollins is CAUGHT for 31YARDS! 1st down at the Broncos 31
Stevenson gains 5 - 2nd and 5
Maye scrambles for 13 yards and the 1st down
Maye pass incomplete to Boutte - 2nd and 10
Snow is getting heavier...
Play is getting more difficult in Denver.
Crawshaw punts to the Pats19, Jones returns it 2 yards to the 21, tackled by Abrams-Draine
Stidham pass caught by Mims but he gains just 4 - 4th and 4
Sitdham pass incomplete to McLaughlin with snow coming down harder - 3rd and 8
McLaughlin gains 2 - 2nd and 8
Borregales kicks to the Broncos 3 and Badie takes it 20 yards to the 23
This was a long opening drive, but the Pats eventually made it into the red zone. The Broncos defense stepped up though for losses on their last two plays, forcing a field goal attempt instead. Borregales made the field goal from 23 yards and the Pats take the lead for the first time with 5:29 to play in the 3rd quarter.
PATS FIELD GOAL!
Maye SACKED by Cooper for a loss of 2 - 4th and goal at the 5
Stevenson stopped by Hufanga for a loss of a yard - 3rd and goal at the 3
Stevenson gains 5 - 2nd and goal at the 2
Ruling was UPHELD and Broncos lose a timeout
Ruling was a 1st down - Broncos challenge the play
Maye takes it up the middle and it's good for the 1st down!
Pats take first timeout
Maye pass to Henry caught and he gains 9 just barely short - 4th and 1 at the Broncos 8
Maye pass incomplete under pressure by Roach - 3rd and 10
Stevenson stopped for no gain - 2nd and 10
Maye scrambles for the 1st down and then some! He gains 28yards to get to the Broncos 17!
Henderson tackled right away by Elliss and Greenlaw for a loss of 3 - 3rd and 9
Henderson gains 4 - 2nd and 6
Stevenson shoves through for a big gain of 12 yards - 1st down at the Broncos 46
Stevenson takes it again, gains a yard - 2nd and 9
Stevenson takes it up 3 yards for the 1st down
Stevenson gains 2, stopped by Singleton and Uwazurike - 3rd and 3
Maye pass to Diggs caught for 5 yards - 2nd and 5
We're back!
And we are back for the second half with snow flurries falling on the field!
Lutz kicked to the Pats 1 and Johnson returned it to the 31
HALFTIME
The Broncos got off to a good start with a touchdown from Stidham to Sutton in the first quarter, but stayed off the score board from then on. Payton is playing aggressive, but it's not paying off just yet, with a few turnovers, one of which turned into a Patriots touchdown, run into the end zone by Maye.
Both the Broncos and Pats ended their final drives with missed field goals.
The game remains tied at 7-7 after the first half. Pats get the ball to start the second half.
Borregales FG attempt NO GOOD
Borregales attempted a 63 yard field goal with 1 second on the clock, but it was wide left - NO GOOD
And that'll end the first half.
Pats take final timeout
Maye scrambles for 16 yards with 1 second left! 1st down
Maye pass deep to Boutte incomplete - 3rd and 15
False Start on Pats' Campbell - 5 yards, 2nd and 15
Maye pass deep to Boutte incomplete - 2nd and 10
Lutz FG attempt NO GOOD
Lutz attempted a 54-yard field goal, but it went wide right - NO GOOD
Pats take over at their own 36 with 20 seconds left in the first half.
Stidham scrambles but loses 2 yards - 4th and 6
Stidham pass caught by Sutton and he gains 6 - 3rd and 4
Stidham pass incomplete - 2nd and 10
Stidham pass caught by Harvey and he gets away for 11 yards - 1st down at the Pats 40
Baringer punts to the 41 and Mims takes it 8 yards to the 49
Maye pass caught by Henry but Surtain and Strnad make the tackle after 3 yards to hold them to 4th and 2
Maye pass incomplete to Henry - 3rd and 5
Stevenson gains 4 - 2nd and 5
Crawshaw punts to the Pats 10 and Jones makes the fair catch
Pats take second timeout
Stidham pass complete to Engram and he gains 12 - 4th and 5
Patriots take first timeout
Stidham SACKED by Barmore for a loss of 8 yards - 3rd and 18
Stidham pass incomplete to Humphrey - 2nd and 10
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
With just under 2 minutes left in the first half, the Broncos and Patriots are tied after a costly turnover by Denver led to a Pats score.
The Broncos now have the ball at 1st and 10 at their own 35 as they try to score ahead of the half.
Stidham pass complete to Harvey and he runs for 10 yards and the 1st down
Stidham escapes pressure, throws it away - 2nd and 10
Borregales kicks to the end zone - Touchback to Broncos 35
Drake Maye with the Pats TD!
Oops...
Stidham was under pressure on 3rd down and as he went to throw the pass, the ball came loose and the Pats recovered it. Ponder took it into the end zone, but it was called dead before he did so. Still, New England only needed two more plays to put it back in the end zone again. It was QB Drake Maye himself who ran it in 6 yards for the touchdown. Borregales' PAT was good and it's now a tie game with just 2:10 left to play in the first half.
PATRIOTS TOUCHDOWN!
Maye pass caught by Boutte for 6 yards - 2nd and 4
Officials have REVERSED the call!
Stidham was SACKED and FUMBLED the ball, recovered by Pats' Ponder at the Broncos 12. The whistle was blown before he made it in the end zone, so it wasn't a TD but Pats take over.
Intentional Grounding on Broncos' Stidham - 20 yards - 4th and 24
Broncos are actually grateful for that one, avoiding fumble-recovery for a touchdown.
Sitdham was backed up and the ball came out of his hands. The Pats grabbed it and ran it into the end zone, but there's a flag...
McLaughlin gains just a yard, stopped by Chaisson - 3rd and 4
McLaughlin breaks through for 5 yards - 2nd and 5
Sitdham under pressure, makes the pass, caught by Mims and he gains 5 for the 1st down
Stidham pass incomplete to Sutton - 3rd and 5
Harvey breaks a tackle for a gain of 5 - 2nd and 5
Broncos D racking up the sacks on Maye
Baringer punts to the Broncos 17 and Mims makes the fair catch
Maye sack #3
Maye SACKED by Allen and Strnad for no gain - 4th and 3
Maye pass caught by Diggs for 5 yards, tackled by Surtain - 3rd and 3
Stevenson stopped after 2 yards - 2nd and 8
Mate pass deep to Hollins and it's CAUGHT for 20yards and the 1st down!
Maye pass incomplete to Douglas, blocked by Hufanga - 3rd and 13
Maye SACKED by Jones for a loss of 3 yards - 2nd and 13
Stidham pass to Harvey was nearly intercepted, but called incomplete - Pats take over at their own 14
Broncos take second timeout
Stidham scrambles under pressure and he gains 4 but is short of the down - 4th and 1...will they go for it?
Stidham scrambles for 2 yards - 3rd and 5
Harvey gains 3 - 2nd and 7
Prentice runs it up 3 yards for the 1st down at the Pats 23
Stidham fakes a pass, hands it off to Harvey and he breaks through for a gain of 9 yards - 2nd and 1
Stidham pass to Humphrey is caught for 5 yards - 1st down
Stidham pass to Sutton caught for 5 yards - 3rd and 3
Stidham pass to McLaughlin is caught for just 2 - 2nd and 8
END FIRST QUARTER
At the end of the first quarter, the Broncos are leading the Patriots 7-0 after Jarrett Stidham made a deep pass to Mims to set up the score, executed by Sutton.
The Pats haven't been able to get much going on offense just yet with the Denver defense making critical stops. The Broncos now have the ball at 1st and 10 on the Patriots 47.
Sitdham pass caught by Engram for 7 yards - 1st down
McLaughlin gains 3 - 2nd and 7
Baringer punts to the Broncos 42 and Mims takes it up a yard before he's tackled by Schooler at the 43
Robinson with the SACK on Drake Maye
Maye pass incomplete to Stevenson - 4th and 15 and Pats will punt it back
Maye SACKED by Robinson for a loss of 9 yards - 3rd and 15
Henderson takes it 4 yards - 2nd and 6
Crawshaw punts to the end zone - Touchback to the Pats 20
Sitdham makes the pass to Sutton and he drops it - 4th and 9
Harvey stuffed by Woodson for no gain - 3rd and 9
Pats linebacker Robert Spillane was injured on the previous play
He was able to walk off the field without assistance. It would be a huge loss for New England's defense if he's not able to return. Gibbins comes in to replace him for now.
Harvey gains just a yard, stopped by Spillane and Jones - 2nd and 9
Harvey shoves forward and gets just enough for the 1st down
Sitdham keeps the ball and scrambles and slides for 8 yards - 2nd and 2
Sitdham makes the pass to Bryant for 2 yards and the 1st down
Harvey breaks a tackle and gets away for 9 yards - 2nd and 1
Baringer punts to the Broncos 23, downed by Pettus
Maye pass to Diggs complete but he gains just 3 with Key on the tackle - 4th and 9 and the Pats will punt it back
Maye pass deep to Boutte blockedbySurtain - 3rd and 12
Maye pass complete to Diggs but Locke gets to him for a loss of 2 yards - 2nd and 12
Stevenson takes it a yard for the 1st down
Stevenson gains 3, tackled by Greenlaw - 3rd and 1
Maye pass complete to Diggs for 4 yards - 2nd and 6
Lutz kicks to the Patriots 3, Johnson returns it to the 33
Sutton with the Broncos TD to take the lead!
Stidham made a 54-yard pass to Marvin Mims to set up the score. Stidham faked the handoff and made the pass to Courtland Sutton 6 yards for the touchdown. Lutz's PAT was good and the Broncos take the early lead with 10:19 to go in the first quarter.
BRONCOS TOUCHDOWN!
Bryant takes it for a yard - 2nd and goal at the 6
Stidham--->Mims!
Broncos take first timeout
Sitdham pass deep to Mims is CAUGHT for 54YARDS! 1st and goal at the Pats 7!
Stidham pass incomplete to Mims - 3rd and 10
Illegal Touch Pass on Broncos' Harvey - 0 yards
Broncos back on the field
Stidham pass to Harvey deep is incomplete - 2nd and 10
Baringer punts to the Broncos 42 and Mims loses a yard to the 41
Pats match Denver with a 3 and out to start
Maye pass nearly intercepted by Hufanga! But Diggs got his hands in there to stop it. Incomplete, 4th and 4 and now Pats will punt it away as well.
Stevenson takes it again but he's swallowed up with pressure from Singleton and Allen on the tackle for a gain of just 1 - 3rd and 4
Pats offense takes the field
Maye hands it off to Stevenson and he gains 5 - 2nd and 5
Crawshaw punts to the Pats 8, out of bounds
Broncos 3 and out to start
Stidham avoids a sack but his pass is incomplete as Ponder gets to him to bring Denver to 4th and 9 and force a punt
Harvey takes it again and again, he is STUFFED - Jennings and Gonzalez stop him for no gain - 3rd and 9 right off the bat
Stidham hands it off to Harvey and he gains just a yard - 2nd and 9
It's GAME TIME!
Patriots won the toss and elected to defer. Jarrett Stidham and the Broncos offense getting ready to take the field!
Borregales kicks to the end zone - Touchback to the Broncos 35
Nathaniel Rateliff takes the field for National Anthem!
Colorado-born singer Nathaniel Rateliff is on the field for the Star-Spangled Banner ahead of kickoff!
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Brrrr...
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Broncos-Patriots Injury Report/Inactives
Broncos Injury Report
In addition to losing starting QB BoNix, Denver enters the AFC Championship slightly shorthanded on offenseand depth positions. The biggest loss is WR Troy Franklin, the team's second-leading receiver during the regular season, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered in the Divisional Round. The good news up front is the return of C Luke Wattenberg, who was activated from injured reserve after missing three games, stabilizing an offensive line that has been one of Denver’s strengths. Backup center Alex Forsyth (ankle) and safety JL Skinner (quad) were both limited during the week but ultimately unavailable.
Broncos INACTIVES
WR Troy Franklin
WR Michael Bandy
S JL Skinner
ILB Karene Reid
C Alex Forsyth
DL Jordan Jackson
DE Sai’vion Jones
Patriots Injury Report
New England got a significant boost on offense with the return of WR Mack Hollins, who was activated from injured reserve after missing time with an abdominal injury. Hollins finished the regular season third on the team in receptions and receiving yards and gives Drake Maye another reliable, physical target. The Patriots will, however, be without their top pass rusher, EDGE Harold Landry III, who was ruled out with a knee injury after leading the team in sacks this season. Defensively, CB Carlton Davis cleared concussion protocol late in the week and is active after a standout Divisional Round performance.
Patriots INACTIVES
EDGE Harold Landry III
WR Efton Chism III
OL Caedan Wallace
T Marcus Bryant
CB Kobee Minor
TE C.J. Dippre
QB Tommy DeVito
Jarrett Stidham never became the Patriots' quarterback of the future, but years later, New England is still very much part of his story.
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Broncos' dominant defense
The Broncos defense has been one of the elite units in the NFL this season, and it's a major reason Denver is playing in the AFC Championship. Denver allowed just 18.3 points per game in 2025, which ranked among the best in the league, while consistently stifling opponents across all phases.
They finished top-10 in yardage allowed on both the ground and through the air, and were one of just a few teams to hold opponents under 20 points per game. Denver’s defense also set a franchise mark with multiple games without allowing a touchdown, and its relentless pressure helped the Broncos lead the AFC in sacks at times.
The New England Patriots have dominated plenty of playoff environments over the years, but there's one place where even the greatest dynasty in NFL history never found an answer: Denver.
The Super Bowl is on the line
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Empower Field at Mile High sits roughly one mile above sea level, a detail that's easy to gloss over until the game starts to stretch and lungs start to burn. For decades, Denver’s altitude has been one of the NFL’s most subtle and persistent advantages, especially in high-stakes postseason football. And with New England arriving from near sea level, it’s a factor that could shape the AFC Championship.
How the Patriots got here
The New England Patriots' path to the AFC Championship has been a story of dramatic turnaround and consistent improvement. After finishing 14-3 in the regular season and winning the AFC East, New England locked down one of the league’s best records behind Drake Maye’s breakout season, a campaign that saw him throw for over 4,300 yards and 31 touchdowns with an elite completion percentage.
In the Wild Card Round, the Patriots’ defense dominated, limiting the Los Angeles Chargers to just 3 points in a 16-3 win while Maye posted 268 passing yards and 66 rushing yards. In the Divisional Round, New England followed with a 28-16 win over the Houston Texans, as Maye threw three touchdown passes to send the Pats to their first AFC Championship appearance since 2018.
Now set to face Denver on the road, New England brings a potent balance of efficient passing, opportunistic defense and a young quarterback performing at an All-Pro level.
How the Broncos got here
The Denver Broncos earned their spot in the AFC Championship by rolling up one of the NFL's best regular-season records and then surviving a thriller in the Divisional Round. Denver finished the 2025 regular season at 15-3, clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC behind a balanced offense led by Bo Nix and a defense that consistently created turnovers and pressure.
In the Divisional Round against the Buffalo Bills, Nix put together a big performance, throwing three touchdowns as the Broncos took a 33-30 overtime win. Less than an hour after the game, however, Denver announced Nix had suffered a season-ending fractured ankle.
Now the Broncos will lean on veteran Jarrett Stidham in his first start of the season, hoping to replicate Denver’s regular-season success behind a defense that helped carry them all year.
One of the biggest storylines heading into the AFC Conference Championship game is that Denver will be playing without starting QB Bo Nix due to a season-ending injury he suffered at the end of their Divisional win over the Buffalo Bills last week.
Now, it's time for Jarrett Stidham to step up and lead them to victory over the Pats.
Ten years later...
The Broncos are back in the AFC Title Game for the first time since the Peyton-Manning era in 2016 when they last won the Super Bowl. The teams look different, but the nostalgia is undeniable.
Welcome to Empower Field at Mile High as the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game! Super Bowl LX is on the line as MVP candidate Drake Maye and unexpected Jarrett Stidham battle it out for the AFC title.
We will be here bringing you all the live updates, scores, highlights, and commentary throughout the game and up to the final whistle.
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