Game Story

Summary

In a snowy, low-scoring AFC Championship thriller, the Patriots defeated the Broncos 10-7 to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LX. With Broncos QB Bo Nix sidelined by an ankle injury, backup Jarrett Stidham led Denver to an early 7-0 lead on a TD pass to Cortland Sutton, but a crucial turnover near halftime swung momentum. Drake Maye's gutsy 7-yard scramble on 3rd-and-6 with under two minutes left sealed the victory. Maye finished with 86 passing yards and 65 rushing yards with a TD, while the Patriots defense held Denver to just 181 total yards in the blizzard conditions. Mike Vrabel becomes the eighth coach in NFL history to reach a Super Bowl in his first season.