NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The New England Patriots had one task in the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos – close the book on any Cinderella story their opponent could create.
Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham did his best with a nice touchdown drive on the team’s second series of the game. But the Patriots’ defense locked in and received some help with the snow at Empower Field at Mile High and picked up the win.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Drake Maye of the New England Patriots rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter of the AFC Championship Playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on January 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Jarrett Stidham of the Denver Broncos looks to pass while under pressure in the first quarter of the AFC Championship Playoff game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field At Mile High on January 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who was burned by a Stidham pass to Marvin Mims earlier in the game, intercepted Stidham’s final pass of the game. Then, Drake Mayes’ hard run on third down got the game going for the Patriots.
New England won 10-7.
Maye was 10-of-21 with 86 passing yards. He was fired five times. He was called on to tie the game in the first half after a Stidham turnover. He had a 6-yard touchdown run that put New England on the board.
He did just enough to guide the Patriots to a win. As the snow fell, the Broncos couldn’t get the offense going and special teams sputtered just enough to cost them some points.
2026 SUPER BOWL ODDS: NFC WEST RIVAL SEAHAWKS, RAMS TOP BOARD
Courtland Sutton of the Denver Broncos catches a touchdown during the first quarter of the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field At Mile High on January 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye looks toward his bench during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The defense was able to get to Stidham three times. He was 17-of-31 with 133 passing yards and a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton in the first quarter. That was all Denver could muster.
The Patriots are back in the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2019 season. It will be the team’s first Super Bowl appearance in the post-Bill Belichick and Tom Brady era. The duo led the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during the prime of their careers.
The “Patriot Way” lives on even in the wake of the Belichick-Brady era.
Denver Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine celebrates a tackle against the New England Patriots during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher)
New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones breaks up a pass to Denver Broncos Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, right, during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Now the Patriots will wait to see who will be on the other side of the field in Super Bowl LX. It will be either the Seattle Seahawks or the Los Angeles Rams.
