Drake Maye rush for a loss of 1 yard to the NE50.
PERFECTION
Drake Maye rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Den49.
Drake Maye rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Den48.
Penalty: Encroachment on Broncos (D.J. Jones) 5 yards.
Drake Maye rush to the left for 7 yards to the NE47.
Broncos timeout.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for no gain to the NE40.
Two Minute Warning.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for 4 yards to the NE40.
Jarrett Stidham pass intended for Marvin Mims Jr. INTERCEPTED by Christian Gonzalez. No return.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the right to RJ Harvey for 1 yard to the Den33.
Bryce Baringer punts for 31 yards to Den32. No return.
Broncos timeout.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for no gain to the NE36.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the left for a loss of 2 yards to the NE36.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the left for 2 yards to the NE38.
45 yard field goal attempt by Wil Lutz is NO GOOD.
Jarrett Stidham rush to the right for 7 yards to the NE28.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the left to RJ Harvey for 1 yard to the NE35.
RJ Harvey rush to the right for a loss of 3 yards to the NE36.
Bryce Baringer punts for 26 yards to NE33. No return.
Drake Maye incomplete pass to the right.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the left for 2 yards to the NE7.
Drake Maye rush to the middle for a loss of 3 yards to the NE5.
Jeremy Crawshaw punts for 45 yards to NE8. No return.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the middle to Elijah Moore for 4 yards to the Den47.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the right intended for Evan Engram.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the right.
Tyler Badie rush to the middle for 3 yards to the Den42.
RJ Harvey rush to the left for no gain to the Den39.
RJ Harvey rush to the right for 9 yards to the Den39.
Bryce Baringer punts for 40 yards to Den30. No return.
Drake Maye sacked at NE30 for a loss of 7 yards.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for 4 yards to the NE37.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for 2 yards to the NE33.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the left for 11 yards to the NE31.
Jeremy Crawshaw punts for 60 yards to NE0. Touchback.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the right intended for Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the left to Marvin Mims Jr. for 1 yard to the Den40.
RJ Harvey rush to the middle for 1 yard to the Den38.
46 yard field goal attempt by Andy Borregales is NO GOOD.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for no gain to the Den28.
Drake Maye incomplete pass to the right intended for Kayshon Boutte.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the left for 3 yards to the Den28.
Drake Maye pass to the left to Mack Hollins for 31 yards to the Den31.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the left for 4 yards to the NE38.
Drake Maye rush to the left for 13 yards to the NE34.
Drake Maye incomplete pass to the middle intended for Kayshon Boutte.
Jeremy Crawshaw punts for 52 yards to NE19. Marcus Jones return for 2 yards to NE21.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the right to Marvin Mims Jr. for 4 yards to the Den29.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the middle intended for Jaleel McLaughlin.
Jaleel McLaughlin rush to the left for 2 yards to the Den25.
Andy Borregales kicks off to the Den3. Tyler Badie return for 20 yards to Den23.
Andy Borregales 23 yard field goal attempt is GOOD.
Drake Maye sacked at Den5 for a loss of 2 yards.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for a loss of 1 yard to the Den3.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for 5 yards to the Den2.
Broncos timeout.
Drake Maye rush to the middle for 1 yard to the Den7.
Patriots timeout.
Drake Maye pass to the middle to Hunter Henry for 9 yards to the Den8.
Drake Maye incomplete pass to the left intended for Rhamondre Stevenson.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the middle for no gain to the Den17.
Drake Maye rush to the middle for 28 yards to the Den17.
TreVeyon Henderson rush to the left for a loss of 3 yards to the Den45.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the middle for 4 yards to the Den42.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the middle for 12 yards to the Den46.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the left for 1 yard to the NE42.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for 3 yards to the NE41.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for 2 yards to the NE38.
Drake Maye pass to the left to Stefon Diggs for 5 yards to the NE36.
Wil Lutz kicks off to the NE1. D’Ernest Johnson return for 30 yards to NE31.
63 yard field goal attempt by Andy Borregales is NO GOOD.
Patriots timeout.
Drake Maye rush to the middle for 16 yards to the Den45.
Drake Maye incomplete pass to the middle intended for Kayshon Boutte.
Penalty: False Start on Patriots (Will Campbell) -5 yards.
Drake Maye incomplete pass to the right intended for Kayshon Boutte.
54 yard field goal attempt by Wil Lutz is NO GOOD.
Jarrett Stidham sacked at NE36 for a loss of 2 yards.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the left to Courtland Sutton for 6 yards to the NE34.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the right.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the left to RJ Harvey for 11 yards to the NE40.
Bryce Baringer punts for 41 yards to Den41. Marvin Mims Jr. return for 8 yards to Den49.
Broncos timeout.
Drake Maye pass to the right to Hunter Henry for 3 yards to the NE18.
Drake Maye incomplete pass to the middle intended for Hunter Henry.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for 5 yards to the NE15.
Jeremy Crawshaw punts for 41 yards to NE10. No return.
Patriots timeout.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the middle to Evan Engram for 12 yards to the Den49.
Patriots timeout.
Jarrett Stidham sacked at Den37 for a loss of 8 yards.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the middle intended for Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
Two Minute Warning.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the left to RJ Harvey for 10 yards to the Den45.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the left.
Andy Borregales kicks off to the endzone. Touchback.
Turnover and then…
Andy Borregales extra point is GOOD.
Drake Maye rush to the middle for 6 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
Drake Maye pass to the left to Kayshon Boutte for 6 yards to the Den6.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the middle. Penalty: Intentional Grounding on Broncos (Jarrett Stidham) -20 yards.
Jaleel McLaughlin rush to the left for 1 yard to the Den33.
Jaleel McLaughlin rush to the left for 5 yards to the Den32.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the right to Marvin Mims Jr. for 5 yards to the Den27.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the right intended for Courtland Sutton.
RJ Harvey rush to the right for 5 yards to the Den22.
Bryce Baringer punts for 45 yards to Den17. No return.
Drake Maye sacked at NE38 for no gain.
Drake Maye pass to the middle to Stefon Diggs for 5 yards to the NE38.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the middle for 2 yards to the NE33.
Drake Maye pass to the right to Mack Hollins for 20 yards to the NE31.
Drake Maye incomplete pass to the left intended for DeMario Douglas.
Drake Maye sacked at NE11 for a loss of 3 yards.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the right intended for RJ Harvey.
Broncos timeout.
Jarrett Stidham rush to the right for 5 yards to the NE14.
Jarrett Stidham rush to the left for 2 yards to the NE19.
RJ Harvey rush to the middle for 2 yards to the NE21.
Adam Prentice rush to the middle for 3 yards to the NE23.
RJ Harvey rush to the left for 9 yards to the NE26.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the left to Lil’Jordan Humphrey for 5 yards to the NE35.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the right to Courtland Sutton for 5 yards to the NE40.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the right to Jaleel McLaughlin for 2 yards to the NE45.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the left to Evan Engram for 7 yards to the NE47.
Jaleel McLaughlin rush to the middle for 3 yards to the Den46.
Bryce Baringer punts for 43 yards to Den42. Marvin Mims Jr. return for 1 yard to Den43.
Drake Maye incomplete pass to the right intended for Rhamondre Stevenson.
Drake Maye sacked at NE15 for a loss of 9 yards.
TreVeyon Henderson rush to the left for 4 yards to the NE24.
Jeremy Crawshaw punts for 55 yards to NE0. Touchback.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the middle intended for Courtland Sutton.
RJ Harvey rush to the right for no gain to the Den45.
RJ Harvey rush to the middle for 1 yard to the Den45.
RJ Harvey rush to the left for 2 yards to the Den44.
Jarrett Stidham rush to the middle for 8 yards to the Den42.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the right to Pat Bryant for 2 yards to the Den34.
RJ Harvey rush to the left for 9 yards to the Den32.
Bryce Baringer punts for 33 yards to Den23. No return.
Drake Maye pass to the middle to Stefon Diggs for 3 yards to the NE44.
Drake Maye incomplete pass to the left intended for Kayshon Boutte.
Drake Maye pass to the left to Stefon Diggs for a loss of 2 yards to the NE41.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for 1 yard to the NE43.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for 3 yards to the NE42.
Drake Maye pass to the right to Stefon Diggs for 6 yards to the NE39.
Wil Lutz kicks off to the NE3. D’Ernest Johnson return for 30 yards to NE33.
Jarrett Stidham to Sutton for a TOUCHDOWN!
Wil Lutz extra point is GOOD.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the right to Courtland Sutton for 6 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
Pat Bryant rush to the right for 1 yard to the NE6.
Broncos timeout.
Jarrett Stidham pass to the right to Marvin Mims Jr. for 52 yards to the NE7.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the right intended for Marvin Mims Jr..
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the right intended for RJ Harvey. Penalty: Illegal Touch on Broncos (RJ Harvey) 0 yards.
Bryce Baringer punts for 44 yards to Den42. Marvin Mims Jr. return for a loss of 2 yards to Den40.
Drake Maye incomplete pass to the middle intended for Stefon Diggs.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the right for 1 yard to the NE14.
Rhamondre Stevenson rush to the middle for 5 yards to the NE13.
Jeremy Crawshaw punts for 56 yards to NE8. No return.
Jarrett Stidham incomplete pass to the right intended for Tyler Badie.
RJ Harvey rush to the right for no gain to the Den36.
RJ Harvey rush to the middle for 1 yard to the Den36.
Andy Borregales kicks off to the endzone. Touchback.
What a matchup
QB had a moment with his family
Sean Payton has spoken
John Elway in the house
QB1 for Denver today
Struggles in Denver
The Patriots are 0-4 all-time in playoff games played in Denver, with three of those defeats coming under Tom Brady.
Drake Maye is chasing history in Denver
Drake Maye is on the brink of making Patriots history, chasing a feat even Tom Brady never achieved. This Sunday in Denver, the young quarterback will try to lead New England past the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game and back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2018.
The challenge is massive. The Patriots are 0-4 all-time in playoff games at Denver, including three losses with Brady under center. Yet Maye arrives confident, guiding New England to an 8-0 road record this season and embracing the “road warriors” mentality instilled by head coach Mike Vrabel.
Denver earned home-field advantage after finishing 14-3 and holds an intimidating 18-5 record in home playoff games, but the Broncos will be without injured starter Bo Nix. Instead, former Patriot Jarrett Stidham will lead the offense, a key reason New England opened as a rare road favorite.
History, weather, altitude, and noise all stand in the way–but for Maye, the opportunity is clear. A win in Denver wouldn’t just send the Patriots to the Super Bowl. It would carve his name into franchise lore.
Drake Maye durante una campaña de auténtico MVP visita a los Denver Broncos en busca de un lugar al Super Bowl LX. Los New England Patriots se enfrentarán a un equipo que no cuenta con su quarterback titular, después de que Bo Nix dijera adiós a la temporada tras eliminar a los Buffalo Bills.
Patriots vs. Broncos: Betting line shifts as Jarrett Stidham replaces injured Bo Nix
Patriots player to watch
Drake Maye
Drake Maye continues to elevate his postseason profile. The MVP finalist threw three touchdown passes in New England’s divisional-round win over the Houston Texans, marking the 13th time in franchise history a Patriots quarterback has thrown at least three TDs in a playoff game. It was also the most by a New England QB since Tom Brady’s three-touchdown performance in Super Bowl LII against Philadelphia.
Maye’s poise and playmaking have fueled the Patriots’ deep postseason run, placing him firmly at the center of the AFC Championship spotlight.
Broncos player to watch
Jarrett Stidham
With Bo Nix sidelined, all eyes turn to Jarrett Stidham. Denver’s backup quarterback has not attempted a pass in two full seasons, and his only snap in 2025 came on a kneel-down to close out a blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Stidham has appeared in 20 NFL games with four starts across six seasons. Notably, the Patriots explored signing him last spring before he re-signed with Denver on a two-year, $12 million deal, making this matchup particularly intriguing given his near-return to Foxborough.
Key matchup
Drake Maye vs. the Broncos defense
This game may hinge on Maye’s ability to withstand pressure from Denver’s relentless defense. The Broncos led the NFL with a franchise-record 68 sacks during the regular season and sacked Josh Allen three times in the divisional round. They also forced four turnovers, snapping Allen’s streak of six straight playoff games without a giveaway.
Maye enters the AFC Championship having been sacked 10 times, throwing two interceptions, and fumbling six times, losing three of them. Protecting the football against one of the league’s most aggressive pass rushes will be critical.
Key injuries
Patriots
LB Harold Landry III (knee) — out
CB Carlton Davis III (concussion) — questionable
LB Marte Mapu (hip) — questionable
WR Mack Hollins (abdomen) — activated from IR after missing time since Dec. 27. Hollins played the first 15 games, totaling 46 catches, 550 yards, and two TDs.
Broncos
RB J.K. Dobbins (foot) — out
WR Troy Franklin (hamstring) — practiced
WR Pat Bryant (concussion) — practiced
C Luke Wattenberg — activated from IR (shoulder)
QB Bo Nix — placed on IR following ankle surgery
WRs Michael Bandy and Elijah Moore — promoted from practice squad
Series notes
Denver holds a 4-1 advantage over New England in playoff meetings
All four Broncos playoff wins came at home
The most recent matchups were AFC Championship Games in 2013 and 2015, both won by Denver
The 2015 AFC title game marked the final postseason meeting between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady
Stats and storylines
This is the Patriots‘ 13th AFC Championship appearance in the last 25 seasons
New England and the 1989 San Francisco 49ers are the only teams to go undefeated on the road with a new head coach
Mike Vrabel is attempting to become the eighth coach in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl in his first season with a team
Maye has completed 3 of 10 deep passes (20+ yards) this postseason
Denver allowed zero completions and intercepted Josh Allen twice on nine deep attempts last week
With a win, Maye would become the first QB ever to defeat three top-five defenses in a single postseason
Maye has been strip-sacked 11 times this season, including the playoffs
WR Stefon Diggs needs 35 yards to reach 1,000 postseason receiving yards, a mark only Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski have reached among Patriots players
Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto forced two fumbles last week, joining Von Miller and Tom Jackson in team playoff history
Denver is 18-5 all-time in home playoff games
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