DENVER — The New England Patriots triumphed over the Denver Broncos with a narrow 10-7 victory, securing their spot in Super Bowl 60. Quarterback Drake Maye showcased resilience in challenging weather conditions, rushing for 68 yards and throwing for 86 yards, including scoring the team’s only touchdown on a 6-yard keeper.
This win marks the Patriots’ 12th appearance in the Super Bowl and their first playoff victory in Denver. With Christian Gonzalez intercepting quarterback Jarrett Stidham at New England’s 36-yard line with just over two minutes remaining, the Patriots (17-3) managed to control the game’s closing moments. Maye’s decisive 7-yard run on third-and-5 from his own 41 helped seal the victory.
Historic Performance in Harsh Conditions
Under coach Mike Vrabel, in his first season, the Patriots became only the third team in the Super Bowl era to win a conference championship with ten points or fewer. Previous instances include the Buffalo Bills defeating the Broncos 10-7 in 1991 and the Los Angeles Rams edging out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-0 in 1979.
“I’m just proud of this team,” Maye expressed after the game. “It took everybody to get here.” The Broncos (15-4) fell short of fulfilling head coach Sean Payton’s preseason prediction of a Super Bowl run, finishing just one game shy of their goal.
Frigid temperatures and snowy conditions impacted play, with both kickers struggling. Denver’s Wil Lutz and New England’s Andy Borregales each missed two field goals, including attempts just before halftime as snow began to fall.
Initially trailing 7-0, the Patriots responded with a crucial fourth-down stop near their end zone. This turnaround sparked their comeback, ultimately leading to their 40th playoff victory, setting a record for the most in NFL history, surpassing the San Francisco 49ers.
Game Highlights and Key Plays
The game kicked off under sunny skies with a temperature of 26 degrees, but by halftime, snowflakes began falling. Grounds crews had to use snowblowers to clear hash marks and yard lines as the temperature dropped to 16 degrees by the fourth quarter.
Despite gaining only 72 yards in the first half, New England initiated the second half with a 16-play, 64-yard drive that consumed nine and a half minutes. This drive culminated in a 23-yard field goal by Borregales, giving the Patriots their first lead at 10-7.
The Broncos initially scored with Stidham connecting a 52-yard pass to Marvin Mims Jr., setting up a 6-yard touchdown catch by Courtland Sutton. However, a critical missed opportunity occurred when the Broncos failed to convert on a fourth-and-1 at New England’s 14-yard line, leaving them clinging to their 7-0 lead.
Stidham, stepping in for the injured Bo Nix, made his first start since the 2023 regular-season finale. Nix, who had 11 game-winning drives in his first two seasons, suffered an ankle injury during overtime against Buffalo the previous week. His status remained uncertain until he underwent X-rays post-game.
The Patriots’ victory not only earned them a place in the Super Bowl but also highlighted their ability to perform under pressure, particularly in adverse weather conditions. As Drake Maye stated, “What an atmosphere out here. Battle of the elements. How about the defense? I love each and every one of them.”
