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12 takeaways as Patriots beat Broncos, punch ticket to Super Bowl LX
The Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl after a close win in Denver.
The New England Patriots are heading back to the Super Bowl.
In another defensive rock fight, the Patriots made enough plays at a snowy Empower Field at Mile High to come away with a 10-7 win over the Broncos in the AFC championship game.
It wasn’t an impressive game for Drake Maye and the Patriots offense, but New England did enough to earn yet another shot at a Lombardi Trophy next month.
Here are 12 takeaways from Sunday’s victory in Denver.
Patriots punch ticket to Super Bowl
It wasn’t pretty. But New England’s improbable turnaround campaign is on to Santa Clara.
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For the third playoff game in a row, Mike Vrabel’s team did enough to come away with a scrappy win — with another stout defensive showing leading the way en route to a 10-7 win over the Broncos.
While New England’s defense did enough to slow down an impotent Denver offense led by Jarrett Stidham, Maye and the Patriots still labored for most of the evening.
But at a venue that served as a house of horrors for New England in the postseason during the Tom Brady era (0-3), the Patriots gutted out a game where seemingly little went according to plan on offense.
Much like how New England’s first Super Bowl title featured an ugly win in a snowstorm, time will tell if Sunday’s win in Denver will be part of a similar script.
Drake Maye makes enough plays on ground
For the third-straight postseason game, Maye and the Patriots offense found themselves mired in a sluggish start against an imposing Denver defense.
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New England might have been locked in a 7-7 deadlock at halftime, but Maye and his offensive personnel had several squandered opportunities to look back on — gaining just 72 yards of net offense in the first half, including just 12 yards in the opening quarter.
Maye entered the second half completing just 7-of-14 throws for 41 yards. Yes, he didn’t get knocked for any turnovers, but he nearly threw a pick on New England’s opening drive — and failed to move the chains off several throws behind his targets.
It didn’t get much better as the game progressed, especially after clear but chilly conditions gave way to a snowstorm in the second half.
Maye ended up completing just 10-of-21 passes for 86 yards and posting a 58.8 passer rating — while New England only gained 206 yards of net offense.
But New England did at least enough to hold on for the nail-biting win, with Maye extending plays on the ground with 65 rushing yards — headlined by a 7-yard scramble on a 3rd-and-6 that iced the win for New England.
New England’s offense still has plenty to work on going into the Super Bowl. But the Patriots’ second-year QB still keeps on making winning plays when his team needs them.
Patriots defense stands tall vs. Stidham
One of the top storylines entering Sunday’s matchup was going to be how Jarrett Stidham — who had not thrown a pass since Week 18 of the 2023 season — was going to fare in place of Bo Nix.
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Despite giving up an early first-quarter touchdown, that was all that New England’s defense coughed up in a game where Vrabel’s defensive unit needed to bail out Maye and Co. once again.
Denver generated just 181 total yards of offense in the loss, with Stidham only completing 17-of-31 throws for 133 yards. As ugly as New England’s offense was, they didn’t get knocked for a turnover, while Stidham both fumbled a ball off a backward pass and threw a game-ending pick to Christian Gonzalez.
Through three playoff games, New England’s defense is giving up an average of 8.6 points per game.
Denver strikes first as Pats offense sputters
So much for Sean Payton and the Broncos crafting a conservative game plan for Stidham.
After both the Patriots and Broncos traded three-and-out drives to open Sunday’s game, Stidham and the Broncos drew first blood in the first quarter.
Staring at a 3rd-and-10 from Denver’s own 41-yard line, Stidham heaved a ball down the field to Marvin Mims Jr. — who beat Gonzalez in coverage for a 52-yard reception to put the ball on New England’s 7-yard line.
Just two plays later, Stidham hit a wide-open Cortland Sutton in the end zone to give Denver an early 7-0 lead. It was a rough showing from New England’s secondary, with safety Jaylinn Hawkins biting on a fake that opened up the chance for Sutton to get open.
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That throw was Stidham’s first TD pass since Jan. 7, 2024.
While Stidham landed an early punch, Maye and the Patriots opened the game with three-straight punts. Through those three drives, New England generated just 12 yards on 12 plays.
It was the first time all season long that New England punted on each of its first three drives of the game — with the Patriots’ 12 yards standing as the fewest generated in the first quarter of a game since Week 17 last season against the Chargers.
New England’s defense holds on fourth down
As New England’s offense struggled to get going, the Broncos had a prime chance to pad their lead early in the second period.
After Marcus Jones stopped a scrambling Stidham just short of a first down in the red zone, Payton and staff were staring at a 4th-and-1 from New England’s 14-yard line. Rather than opt for three points off a field goal from Wil Lutz, the Broncos opted to go for it on fourth down.
But New England’s defense didn’t fold, with Stidham’s roll-out and subsequent throw falling incomplete — with Craig Woodson nearly picking off the pass.
It was an impressive stop by New England’s defense — and a major second-guess by Denver’s coaching staff to punt on three points in a game where points were seemingly at a premium.
Ultimately, Maye and the Patriots offense couldn’t make the most of that momentum swing. Despite gaining a first down off a 20-yard catch from Mack Hollins, New England punted once again after Maye was sacked twice on that drive.
Patriots, Maye capitalize on Stidham turnover
With New England’s offense struggling to get going, the defense needed a break to go their way against Stidham.
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That opportunity presented itself as New England dialed up the pressure against the career backup from Denver’s own 33-yard line.
As Christian Elliss generated pressure against Stidham, the Broncos’ QB backpedaled and threw a pass into no-man’s land that was scooped up Elijah Ponder and returned into the end zone.
The play was initially ruled as intentional grounding on Stidham, which would have resulted in a fourth down for Denver. But after the refs conferred, it was deemed a backwards pass from Stidham and a fumble — giving New England the ball in the red zone.
But New England still caught a bad break even amid the turnover, as a whistle ruled the play dead before Ponder could score his touchdown — meaning that Maye and the Patriots had to still punch the ball in from the 12-yard line.
It was a tough call against New England, but Maye and the Patriots ultimately took advantage of the miscue, with the Patriots QB taking it into the end zone himself off a six-yard keeper to knot the score up at 7-7.
A frustrating end to half
Despite securing the equalizer, the Patriots had several prime opportunities to take the lead before halftime that were squandered.
A bid at a double-score opportunity seemingly fizzled up for New England after the Patriots went 3-and-out with 1:35 left in the half — giving Denver a chance to try and counter with some points of their own.
Lutz had a prime chance to give Denver a three-point lead, but the veteran kicker missed his 54-yard field-goal attempt to keep the game tied with 24 seconds to go. Once again, New England had a shot at adding some points, but Maye couldn’t hit a wide open Kayshon Boutte on a play that would have put the Patriots in field goal range.
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A 16-yard scramble from Maye at least gave Andy Borregales a chance to kick a 63-yard field goal to close out the half, but the rookie’s attempt went wide left.
New England entered halftime with just 72 yards of net offense — their fewest in a playoff half since posting 54 against the Jaguars in the 1998 wild-card round.
Patriots take lead off ground-and-pound game
New England shifted their approach on offense coming out of the half, with Josh McDaniels dialing up seven-straight run plays at one point to drain the clock and gain some chunk yardage.
After Rhamondre Stevenson gained 12 yards on a run up the middle, Maye once again used his legs to push the ball into the red zone via a 28-yard scramble.
New England pushed within Denver’s 10-yard line after opting for a QB sneak on 4th-and-1 — with Khyiris Tonga and Milton Williams helping to push Maye over the line of scrimmage for the first down.
The Patriots ultimately had to settle for a 23-yard field goal from Borregales to take a 10-7 lead.
New England took a whopping 9:31 off the clock on that drive en route to take a slim three-point lead. Still, the Patriots left some points on the board after a direct snap to Stevenson was blown up for no gain and Maye was sacked on third down to close out that drive.
New England can’t build lead off flea-flicker
After Denver was forced into another 3-and-out, New England’s offense had a prime opportunity to land a knockout punch in the closing minutes of the third quarter.
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As inefficient as New England’s passing game had been, Josh McDaniels went into his bag of tricks to generate a chunk play — with Maye and Stevenson reeling off a flea-flicker play that ended with the Patriots QB dropping the ball into the bucket for Mack Hollins for a 31-yard pickup.
New England’s drive ultimately fizzled out at Denver’s 28-yard line, giving Borregales a shot at a 46-yard field goal. But as the snow flurries started to pick up, the rookie kicker’s attempt went wide right — keeping it a 10-7 game.
New England’s defense responded by forcing yet another 3-and-out from Denver’s offense, with Marcus Jones generating a Broncos punt with a clutch breakup of a pass intended for Lil’Jordan Humphrey on third down.
Lutz’s game-tying kick fails
After Denver and New England traded punts once again as the conditions deteriorated, a brutal punt from Bryce Baringer (26 yards) gave the Broncos starting field position at New England’s 33-yard line.
That seemingly was going to be enough for Denver to at least tie the game up at 10-10 in the closing minutes of the game. But Lutz’s 45-yard field-goal attempt was tipped at the line of scrimmage, with Leonard Taylor — fresh off the practice squad — getting his hand on the football to knock it off course.
Given the conditions in Denver, it was going to have to come down to New England’s defense to seal this win.
Gonzalez’s interception closes things out
New England’s defense rose to the occasion in crunch time.
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With Stidham and the Broncos in need of a big play to move the ball back into field-goal range, the QB lofted up an ill-advised throw to Mims that Gonzalez picked off — giving the ball back to New England on its own 35-yard line.
It was the first interception for Gonzalez this season — and couldn’t have come at a better time.
That was all that the Patriots needed — as Maye closed out the win by picking up the first down to run out the clock on a 3rd-and-6 play with Jonah Elliss in pursuit.
New England then went into victory formation, cementing their spot in Super Bowl LX.
LIVE UPDATES
6:01: Final: Patriots beat the Broncos, 10-7. New England is going back to Super Bowl LX.
Much more to come on Boston.com!
5:59: The Patriots are on the verge of going to the Super Bowl. Maye out-races the defender and they pick up the first down.
They can run out the clock.
5:55: What a play by Christian Gonzalez. He picks off Stidham and New England takes over with 2:11 to go. Not sure what Stidham was thinking there.
5:52: Broncos have the ball on their own 32 with 3:05 left.
5:50: Patriots punting again. This game is going to have to come down to New England’s defense standing tall.
5:49: Leonard Taylor — fresh off the practice squad — tipped that kick. Wow.
5:47: Broncos are going to attempt a field goal in these conditions. It’s no good from 46 yards out.
Score remains at 10-7.
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5:46: Great play by Tonga to force a loss of four yards.
5:44: Patriots go 3-and-out and are punting out of their end zone.
A brutal punt from Bryce Baringer has Denver taking over from New England’s 33 yard line.
5:42: Stevenson slips and Maye has to take a 3-yard loss.
5:38: Quite the decision there from Denver to dial up three straight passes. Denver punting again. 8:34 left in regulation.
5:30: Maye holds onto the ball for way too long. He’s sacked on third down.
This one is going to be a slog all the way to the finish.
5:29: Stevenson gains 11 yards up the gut. With the wind blowing in front of New England, one has to wonder if New England tries to run this one out with the ground game.
5:25: Huge play by Marcus Jones to break up that pass to Humphrey. Broncos punting once again.
5:21: End Fourth: Patriots holding onto that 10-7 lead.
5:18: Borregales misses wide right form 46 yards.
Still a 10-7 game.
5:16: Another poor throw from Maye to Boutte. Third down coming up.
5:15: Flea-flicker! Maye to Stevenson to Maye — who then drops it in the buckety for Hollins. 31-yard pickup.
5:13: Maye scrambles for 13. His throwing has been way off, but he’s gaining chunk yardage on the ground.
5:09: A screen to Mims is blown up. Denver is punting.
5:04: Borregales’ 23-yard field goal is good. Patriots take a 10-7 lead.
New England took 9:31 off the clock on that drive.
5:03: Maye sacked on third down. Patriots are opting for a field goal.
5:02: Awful direct snap for Stevenson and it blows up. Run for no gain.
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5:00: Ruling on the field stands. First down.
4:58: Sean Payton is challenging the call. Somewhat surprised the Patriots didn’t run a play quickly before the Broncos could get a look at it.
4:57: Patriots get the first down — with Tonga and Milton Williams joining in on the tush push.
4:55: Patriots going for it on 4th and 1 from Denver’s 8-yard line.
4:53: Maye gets in on the ground game. He scrambles for 28 yards. New England is on Denver’s 15-yard line. 7 straight running plays.
4:52: Some ground-and-pound from New England entering the second half.
4:51: Great run from Stevenson. That one goes for 12 yards.
4:50: Stevenson moves the chains on a 3rd-and-3.
4:49: Some snow flurries in Denver to open the second half. Just a bit lighter than what we’re handling here in New England.
4:32: Maye scrambles to try and force a 63-yard field goal. Borregales kick is no good.
7-7 game at the half.
4:31: Will Campbell whistled for a false start.
4:30: Man, Boutte was wide open there. Maye has been way off this half.
Could have given New England a shot at a field goal.
4:29: Wow. Will Lutz’s 54-yard attempt sails wide. The score holds at 7-7.
4:26: RJ Harvey escapes from Gibbens and gains some chunk yardage. Denver nearly in field goal range.
4:24: No double score for New England. New England goes three and out.
4:21: Denver’s offense punts once again. New England will have a double-score chance here with 1:42 left in the first half. Huge sack from Barmore put Stidham and the Broncos well back.
4:11: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. Maye runs it in for a 6-yard keeper.
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Ponder should have been credited for a TD, but Maye and the Patriots take care of business themselves.
It’s a 7-7 game.
4:09: Nevermind! The officials rule it a backwards pass by Jarrett Stidham. The Patriots have the ball, but the ball was whistled dead before Ponder ran into the end zone.
4:08: Patriots dial up the blitz on Stidham on third down and he panics on that drop-back. New England thinks he fumbles and they return it for a TD, but the refs throw a flag for intentional grounding. Fourth down.
4:06: Mims on the shallow crosser moves the chains on 3rd and 5.
Denver isn’t shredding New England’s defense, but they’re doing a whole lot better than Maye and the Patriots offense right now.
4:00: Maye sacked once again. New England will punt for a fourth time.
3:58: Welcome back Mack Hollins. He converts on a 3rd and 13 with a 20-yard pickup.
3:57: Annnnnd Maye is sacked once again.
3:53: New England’s defense holds. Huge play by the Patriots.
New England takes over on downs from its own 14-yard line.
Let’s see if New England can respond on offense.
3:52: Stidham scrambles for 4th and 1. Huge play here on New England’s 14-yard line.
3:51: Robert Spillane is back on the Patriots sideline. We’ll see if he draws back in.
3:49: Now Harvey reels off another 9-yard gain. New England’s defense hasn’t had a lot of time to rest up with the offense punting on three straight drivs.
3:48: Broncos driving again. Studham hits Humphrey on a 3rd and 3 to move the chains. Denver in New England territory.
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3:43: End First: Broncos hold a 7-0 lead. New England’s offense was dreadful in that opening 15 minutes. Patriots finish with just 12 total yards on offense.
3:39: Maye can’t hit a wide-open Stevenson. Maye not sharp in the early going.
New England’s defense is going to have to keep it close until this offense can get going.
3:39: Robert Spillane is questionable to return with an ankle injury.
3:38: Maye sacked again on the bootleg. 3rd-and-15.
3:37: Robert Spillane is heading to the locker room. Not a good sign.
3:36: Courtland Sutton drops a pass that would have moved the chains. New England catches a break.
Denver punting.
3:35: Craig Woodson with a nice run stuff. Denver looking at a 3rd-and-9.
3:32: Spillane walks off under his own power with the training staff.
3:31: Robert Spillane is down and slams his helmet. That’s not good.
3:30: Read-option from Stidham leads to an 8-yard gain. Stidham and the Broncos offense is moving so far today.
3:29: Rough start for Hawkins. He missed a tackle on Harvey, and he goes for 9 yards.
3:25: Patriots punting once again after Diggs reels in a shallow crosser.
3:24: Patrick Surtain bats down a deep ball to Boutte. Great coverage.
3:23: With Tonga in the backfield, the Patriots run the ball and convert on a third down.
3:22: Maye’s fist completion — a 6-yard pickup to Diggs.
3:17: Broncos strike first. Stidham hits a wide-open Sutton in the end zone for a 7-yard TD. 7-0 Broncos with 10:19 left in the first quarter.
3:15: Mims just cooked Gonzalez for a 54-yard strike. Sheesh. Denver now on New England’s 7-yard line.
3:14: Ooof that could have been a big play for Mims with a wide-open lane but Stidham can’t hit him.
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3:08: Patriots respond with a 3-and-out of their own. Pretty dangerous pass from Maye. Threw into coverage while looking for Diggs.
3:06: Elijah Ponder dials up the pressure on Stidham and the Broncos go 3 and out. Denver is punting.
3:05: Back-to-back run stuffs for New England out of the gate. 3rd and 9 upcoming for New England.
3:01: Patriots win the coin toss. They defer. Broncos offense and Stidham are up first.
2:54: Stefon Diggs fires up his teammates ahead of kick-off.
2:25: No changes to New England’s offensive line during warmups:
LT – Will Campbell
LG – Jared Wilson
C – Garrett Bradbury
RG – Mike Onwenu
RT – Morgan Moses
2:12: Warmups are underway in Denver.
1:53: A whole lot of Patriots fans on site in Denver:
1:50: Ann Michael Maye is ready to roll from Denver.
1:45: Seems like Andy Borregales is well-adjusted to the high altitude in Denver.
1:39: Denver’s inactives have also been released. Troy Franklin is a big loss for Denver’s passing game. He was second on the Broncos with 65 catches for 709 yards.
1:35: It’s a balmy 22 degrees in Denver. But Mack Hollins is still warming up barefoot.
1:31: A look at the Patriots inactives. Both Mack Hollins and Carlton Davis are active, with Efton Chism not playing now that Hollins is good to play. No Harold Landry, as Vrabel noted on Friday.
1:30: Drake Maye is on the scene:
1:22: Mack Hollins arrives at Mile High dressed up as one of “The Warriors” from the cult film.
1:21: Big game today in Denver:
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