The New England Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LX with a hard-fought 10-7 victory over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game on January 25, 2026, at Empower Field at Mile High. What should have been a showcase of high-stakes football instead unfolded under a blanket of heavy snow that turned the contest into a grueling test of endurance, discipline, and sheer will. In conditions that deteriorated rapidly as the game progressed, the Patriots emerged as the more composed team, capitalizing on key moments while the Broncos struggled to maintain momentum amid the worsening weather and critical self-inflicted errors.
From the opening kickoff, the game carried the weight of anticipation. The Broncos, playing at home with a 14-3 record and riding the momentum of a strong season, struck first. Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, stepping in for the injured Bo Nix, delivered an early highlight with a 52-yard completion to Marvin Mims Jr. that set up a short-field opportunity. Stidham then found Courtland Sutton in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown pass, giving Denver a 7-0 lead. The score reflected the Broncos’ early efficiency and the Patriots’ initial struggles to generate rhythm in the thin air and cold.
New England, however, refused to wilt. Under head coach Mike Vrabel in his first season at the helm, the Patriots had built their identity around a stout defense and opportunistic offense led by young quarterback Drake Maye. Maye, completing only 10 of 21 passes for 86 yards, proved far more dangerous with his legs, rushing six times for 61 yards and the game’s decisive score. The Patriots’ ground game, powered by Rhamondre Stevenson who carried 24 times for 70 yards, kept drives alive when the passing lanes froze over—literally and figuratively.
The turning point arrived in the second quarter during a sequence that will be debated for years. On a play from the Denver side, Stidham attempted to throw the ball away under pressure but released it backward. The ball hit the turf as a live fumble. Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder scooped it up and raced toward the end zone for what appeared to be a 12-yard touchdown return. But the officials blew the whistle prematurely, initially ruling the play an incomplete forward pass and even flagging Stidham for intentional grounding since no eligible receiver was in the area.
Chaos ensued on the field and in the booth. After review and discussion among the crew, referee Alex Kemp overturned the call, correctly identifying it as a backward pass and thus a fumble. The recovery stood, but because the whistle had halted play after Ponder had possession, the Patriots could not score on the return. Instead, they were awarded the ball at the spot of recovery near Denver’s 12-yard line. The erroneous whistle robbed New England of a potential touchdown, yet the Patriots responded with composure.
A few plays later, Maye bootlegged right and dove into the end zone from 6 yards out, tying the game at 7-7 heading into halftime.
Postgame, the NFL acknowledged the mistake. Referee Kemp explained that the whistle occurred after the recovery but before any advance could be completed, preventing what should have been a full touchdown. While the correction gave New England possession and field position, the premature stoppage prevented a dramatic swing. Broncos fans and analysts pointed to the blown call as a pivotal moment that could have shifted the game’s energy permanently in Denver’s favor. Yet Stidham himself took responsibility for the turnover, refusing to blame the snow or the officials. “I put the ball in a bad spot,” he said afterward.
“That’s on me.”
The second half brought the full fury of the storm. Snow accumulated rapidly, blanketing the field in white and reducing visibility to near-zero at times. What had started as a manageable winter game devolved into a slog. Passing became nearly impossible; quarterbacks slipped on routes, receivers fought for traction, and every snap carried risk. The offenses combined for just eight completions in the entire second half. Field position became paramount, and special teams and defense took center stage.
New England seized control in the third quarter with a marathon 16-play drive that chewed clock and showcased their discipline. The unit methodically marched downfield, converting third downs through short runs and careful clock management. The drive culminated in a 23-yard field goal by Andres Borregales, giving the Patriots a 10-7 lead. The score held as the snow intensified, turning the field into a quagmire.
Denver had chances to respond. Kicker Wil Lutz missed a 54-yard attempt late in the second half, with snow potentially affecting his plant foot and alignment—he later suggested the conditions played a role in the miss. The Broncos also opted for aggression over caution on a fourth-and-1 near midfield rather than attempting a long field goal, but the gamble failed. Their defense stiffened at times, forcing punts and holding New England scoreless in the fourth, but the offense could generate nothing against the Patriots’ front seven.
The game’s final minutes crystallized the difference. With under three minutes remaining, Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton appeared to have a catch along the sideline, but officials ruled it incomplete after review. Then, with 2:11 left, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez sealed the victory with an interception of Stidham, returning possession to New England. Maye iced the game on third-and-5 with a 7-yard scramble, picking up the first down and allowing the Patriots to kneel out the clock in victory formation.
The final score—10-7—belied the intensity. This was not a game of fireworks but of survival. The Patriots outgained the Broncos in rushing (131-78) and controlled the clock, possessing the ball for over 32 minutes. They committed zero turnovers while forcing two from Denver. The defense, led by players like Milton Williams who dominated the line of scrimmage, harassed Stidham throughout and limited big plays after the early touchdown.
In the aftermath, emotions ran high. Some Broncos supporters decried the officiating, particularly the fumble sequence and perceived inconsistencies in spot rulings. Social media erupted over Maye’s fourth-down conversions and the snow’s impact on fairness. Yet Vrabel struck a measured tone in his postgame remarks. “This was about who wanted it more in the elements,” he said. “Our guys fought through it, stayed disciplined, and made the plays when it mattered.”
For New England, the win represented a return to glory in the post-Tom Brady era. Maye, at just his second full season, showed poise beyond his years, blending arm talent with athleticism that thrived in chaos. The Patriots advanced to their 12th Super Bowl appearance, set to face the Seattle Seahawks in Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026. The matchup promised fireworks after the slog in Denver.
Denver’s season, while ending in heartbreak, underscored their resilience. Stidham filled in admirably for Nix, and the defense remained elite. But in the snow-swept confines of Empower Field, one mistake, one whistle, and one team’s ability to adapt proved the difference.
As the confetti fell in the thin air—mixed with lingering flakes—the Patriots celebrated a championship berth earned not through dominance but through grit. In a game where conditions conspired to minimize skill and maximize resolve, New England proved they had more of both. The road to Super Bowl LX had been paved in snow, controversy, and unyielding determination.
