DENVER — The New England Patriots ruled the NFL for most of two decades, and when they fell, they fell hard. Just not for long.
The celebration for the end of the Patriots’ dynasty is over, and now perhaps there will be a new round of complaints about a new era of dominance. The Patriots, led by NFL Coach of the Year favorite Mike Vrabel and NFL MVP finalist Drake Maye, are going to Super Bowl LX after beating the Denver Broncos 10-7 in a snowy, messy AFC championship game. It wasn’t a pretty performance by the Patriots, but the Broncos missed starting quarterback Bo Nix, who was out after suffering a season-ending ankle injury last week. Jarrett Stidham made one massive mistake on a turnover near the end of the first half that completely turned the game around. The Patriots got their first touchdown after that and when the weather turned the field into a snowy ice rink as the second half went on, that touchdown was huge because neither team could move the ball. Denver not having Nix was a factor, but the Patriots made sure that Stidham wouldn’t beat them. So did the weather.
New England went 4-13 each of the past two seasons. The roster was in severe disrepair, though Maye’s rookie season in 2024 provided hope. This past offseason, the Patriots hired Vrabel, spent a ton in free agency and had a good draft. Now they’re going to the Super Bowl for the 12th time, and their first time since Tom Brady led them to a championship at the end of the 2018 season.
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This is an entirely new cast from that long Patriots dynasty. After just a few years trying to retool after the Brady and Bill Belichick era, New England is back atop the AFC. The Brady-Belichick dynasty got its major break in the tuck rule game against the Raiders, which the Patriots pulled out in a wild, snowy game. Maybe that’s a sign for this iteration of the Patriots.
Live57 updates
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 12:11 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 3:11 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Patriots – 206 yards total offense
Drake Maye: 10-of-21, 86 yards/ 10 rushes, 65 yards, 1 TD
Rhamondre Stevenson: 25 carries, 71 yards
Mack Hollins: 2 catches, 51 yardsBroncos – 181 yards total offense
Jarrett Stidham: 17-of-31, 133 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RJ Harvey: 13 rushes, 37 yards
Marvin Mims Jr.: 4 catches, 62 yards - Sun, January 25, 2026 at 3:07 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Drake Maye takes three kneeldowns after Denver’s 5-yard encroachment penalty to run out the clock and the Patriots finish a 10-7 victory over the Broncos to win the AFC championship.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 3:04 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
D.J. Jones commits an encroachment penalty and giving the Patriots 5 yards means they can kneel out the clock.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 3:01 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Facing a third-and-6 with 1:57 left on the clock, Drake Maye fakes a handoff and rolls out left to run for 7 yards and a Patriots’ first down.
Denver has to use its final timeout and that should clinch the win for New England.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:58 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Rhamondre Stevenson gains 4 yards on first-and-10 to take the game to the 2-minute warning.
The Patriots have a second-and-6 at their 40-yard line. Denver has one timeout remaining.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:56 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Following a desperate 1-yard toss to RJ Harvey, Jarrett Stidham is picked off attempting a deep throw to Marvin Mims Jr.
Christian Gonzalez gets the interception on the underthrown pass and the Patriots take over on their 36-yard line with 2:11 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:53 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
The tough sledding continues for both offenses in the snow. New England can’t get a first down after three Rhamondre Stevenson rushing attempts result in 1 yard gained.
A 31-yard punt by Bryce Baringer pushes the Broncos back to their 32-yard line with 3:05 remaining in the game.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:51 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Wil Lutz missed a 45-yard field goal attempt through the snow after the Broncos can’t get a first down. Leonard Taylor III appeared to tip the kick for New England.
The Patriots take over at their 36-yard line with 4:42 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:46 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
New England loses 1 yard on its next possession, with Rhamondre Stevenson gaining 2 yards following Drake Maye rushing for a 3-yard loss. Maye throw incomplete on third-and-11 and the Patriots have to punt.
Denver takes over on the New England 33-yard line following a 26-yard punt by Bryce Baringer.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:43 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Offense is still difficult for the Broncos to generate.
Denver got some push in its running game and got a first down, but two incompletions by Jarrett Stidham and a 4-yard gain on third-and-10 forces the Broncos to punt again.
The Patriots take over at their 8-yard line after a 45-yard punt by Jeremy Crawshaw.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:40 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
CBS reporter Evan Washburn letting snow collect on his magnificent head of hair is a bold choice. Football players aren’t the only tough ones on the field today.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:38 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
As CBS’ Tracy Wolfson explained on the broadcast, the Patriots are driving right into the snow when they’re on offense.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:36 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
The Patriots grinded out some rushing yards on their ensuing possession, with Rhamondre Stevenson gaining 17 yards on three carries.
However, Drake Maye gets sacked for a 7-yard loss on third-and-4 which stalls the drive at the New England 30-yard line.
Denver gets the ball back at its 30-yard line after a 40-yard punt by Bryce Baringer.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:32 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Denver can’t generate much offense in the snowy conditions right now. Jarrett Stidham throws incomplete on third-and-7 to Lil’Jordan Humphrey and the Broncos have to punt.
Jeremy Crawshaw kicks 60 yards for a touchback and the Patriots take over at their20-yard line with 14:11 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:27 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
The Patriots’ drive stalled after that big 31-yard pass to Mack Hollins. Three subsequent plays result in 3 yards gained and New England has to settle for a field goal.
However, Andy Borregales’ 46-yard attempt through the snow tails wide right.
Denver takes over at its 37-yard line with 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:18 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Drake Maye challenges the snow, throwing a 31-yard completion to Mack Hollins on a second-and-6 flea flicker from the Patriots’ 38-yard line.
First down for New England at the Denver 31-yard line after the big play in which Maye gets the ball over two Broncos defenders.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:16 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
The weather could be a factor going into the fourth quarter as the snow is starting to fall harder in Denver.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:14 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Denver can’t answer New England’s field goal, gaining only 6 yards in three plays on its next possession.
The Patriots take over at their 21-yard line following a 52-yard punt by Jeremy Crawshaw and 2-yard Marcus Jones return.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:07 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
After a first down was ruled, the Patriots couldn’t push any further to the end zone. Two Rhamondre Stevenson rushes — including a direct snap to him on a trick play — gained 4 yards.
But Drake Maye was sacked by Jonathan Cooperfor a 2-yard loss on third-and-3 from the Denver 3-yard line and New England has to settle for a field goal.
Andy Borregales kicks a 23-yarder and the Patriots take the lead.
- Sun, January 25, 2026 at 2:03 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
A very close call is upheld after replay review, giving the Patriots a first down on a QB sneak by Drake Maye.
On CBS, Gene Steratore said he would’ve liked to see a measurement after none was taken.
