Patriots head back to Super Bowl after narrow AFC title win over Broncos

Tom Brady joins Colin Cowherd to discuss how teams do not fumble, including the old New England Patriots and how Bill Belichick prepped them.

The New England Patriots had one task going into the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos – close the book on any Cinderella story that their opponent could create.

Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham did his best with a great touchdown drive on the team’s second series of the game. But the Patriots’ defense locked in and received some help with the snow at Empower Field at Mile High and picked up the victory.

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Drake Maye of the New England Patriots rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter in the AFC Championship Playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Jarrett Stidham of the Denver Broncos looks to pass while under pressure during the first quarter in the AFC Championship Playoff game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field At Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who was burned by a Stidham pass to Marvin Mims earlier in the game, intercepted Stidham’s final pass of the game. Then, Drake Maye’s hard-nosed run on third down clinched the game for the Patriots.

New England won, 10-7.

Maye was 10-of-21 with 86 passing yards. He was sacked five times. He was called upon to tie the game in the first half after a Stidham turnover. He had a 6-yard touchdown run that put New England on the board.

He did just enough to guide the Patriots to a victory. As the snow came down, the Broncos couldn’t get the offense going and special