Points were at a premium in the New England Patriots’ 10-7 win over the Broncos in Sunday’s AFC championship game — even more so after halftime as frigid, snowy conditions took over in Denver.
And the game swung on a handful of plays — and decisions — that ultimately led to the Patriots advancing to their first Super Bowl of the post-Tom Brady era. Here’s a look at the key plays that ultimately decided the outcome of Sunday’s game.
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Patriots get fourth-and-1 stop after Broncos pass on FG
This will likely stand as the most scrutinized decision from Sunday’s game.
Conditions were poor in the first half even before the snow settled in. And the Broncos were playing with a backup quarterback in Jarrett Stidham, who hadn’t thrown an NFL pass since the 2023 since due to a season-ending fractured ankle for starter Bo Nix.
With two elite defenses on the field, points were going to be at a premium. The Broncos struck first and had a chance take a 10-0 lead with what would have been a 42-yard field goal attempt from kicker Wil Lutz. But instead of kicking for a two-score lead, the Broncos opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 at the New England 14-yard line.
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Stidham faced pressure and threw incomplete into traffic, and the Patriots took over on downs.
The Broncos didn’t score again. And the potential field goal proved to be the final margin of New England’s 10-7 win.
Stidham mistake sets up only Patriots TD
The game plan for the Broncos was clear on Sunday. They needed Stidham to play a clean game and avoid catastrophic mistakes to allow Denver’s defense to control the game against an opposing quarterback in Drake Maye playing in his first road playoff game.
Stidham threw that game plan out the window late in the second quarter. With Denver holding a 7-0 lead and facing third-and-4 in its own territory, Stidham faced immediate pressure again from the Patriots pass rush on a dropback.
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He ran backward. And then he panicked. Stidham threw a two-handed sideways shove that appeared to be an effort to get rid of the ball. Officials initially and incorrectly ruled the play a forward pass and intentional grounding on the field, negating what would have been a defensive touchdown by Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder.
After consulting, they correctly determined that Stidham’s pass did not travel forward, and that it was a fumble. New England was awarded possession due to Ponder’s recovery, but the touchdown didn’t count because they blew the whistle.
No matter for New England. Maye ran the ball in for a 6-yard touchdown two plays later to tie the game at 6-6.
Patriots block game-tying FG attempt
By the second half, wintry conditions had taken over, and points became even harder to come by. With the clock ticking under 5 minutes in the fourth quarter, the Broncos faced what would normally be a reliable look at a game-tying 46-yard field goal from kicker Wil Lutz.
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But Lutz’s attempt came off like a knuckleball and sailed wide left to maintain New England’s 10-7 lead.
Slow-motion replay explained Luzt’s apparent knuckleball. New England’s Leonard Taylor got a hand on the ball to alter the kick and keep Denver from tying the game.
Jarrett Stidham throws fourth-quarter interception
With 2:19 remaining, the Broncos had the ball and a chance for a game-tying field goal or go-ahead touchdown. Instead, Stidham made his second big mistake of the game.
On second-and-9, Stidham targeted Marvin Mims Jr. on a deep ball. Stidham’s ball was well underthrown, and Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez ran under it for an easy interception.
This all but slammed the door on Denver’s Super Bowl hopes.
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Drake Maye runs for game-clinching first down
New England still had work to do after Gonzalez’s interception of Stidham. Maye ensured that it got done.
On third-and-6 with 1:57 remaining, the Patriots called for a run by Maye. Maye faked a handoff, then rolled out to his left, targeting the line to gain on the left sideline. Broncos defenders weren’t ready for the play, and Maye gained just enough to secure the first down.
The play allowed the Patriots run out the clock on a win in the AFC championship. And it capped a sensational day from Maye on the ground, who powered New England’s offense with his legs.
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Maye ran 10 times for 65 yards, gaining multiple first downs along the way. And he scored New England’s only touchdown of the game on his 6-yard draw in the first half.
In the end, Sunday’s game was one that was won in the margins, and the Patriots executed their critical plays as the Broncos did not.
