Mile High had been where the January journey ended for the New England Patriots in 1987, 2006, 2014 and 2016.<\/p>\n
Not on Sunday. Head coach Mike Vrabel\u2019s side outlasted the Denver Broncos by a score of 10-7 in the AFC Championship Game.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a glance back on the 3 p.m. ET kickoff at Empower Field as Super Bowl LX awaits.<\/p>\n
Maye throws for 86, runs for 65 en route to Santa Clara<\/p>\n
From the wild card through the divisional round, Drake Maye survived five turnovers. To advance against the AFC\u2019s No. 1 seed, there needed to be none. The 23-year-old Patriots quarterback went 10-of-21 passing for 86 yards at Mile High. But he ran for 65 yards and the offense\u2019s lone touchdown.<\/p>\n
Taking the field in jumbo \u201c12\u201d personnel, the first drive spanned three plays and nearly an interception by safety Talanoa Hufanga. The second series also ended in a punt after a deflection deep down the left sideline by cornerback Patrick Surtain II. So would the third and fourth series.<\/p>\n
The opening quarter saw seven passing yards amassed. After a sudden change, however, Maye took a QB draw in for six from six yards out. But five punts in seven possessions got things to halftime. By then, the NFL\u2019s last unbeaten road team had netted a single first down by air and only 72 yards of total offense.<\/p>\n
Maye turned to his legs as conditions worsened, scrambling for a long of 28. The Pro Bowler<\/a>, Associated Press second-team All-Pro<\/a> and Pro Football Writers of America All-AFC<\/a> honoree also had defensive tackles Khyiris Tonga and Milton Williams pushing behind him on a fourth-and-1 at the doorstep. But a dangerous direct snap as well as a sack at the goal line halted New England\u2019s initial drive out of the break.<\/p>\n Even so, the drive spanned 9:31 of game clock and resulted in a 10-7 lead. That held until it was on to Levi\u2019s Stadium. From sunny skies to a snow squall, Maye ran a naked bootleg around the left side on the way to history.<\/p>\n In return, Hollins converts with two key catches<\/p>\n A week after a trio of wide receivers found the end zone, the Patriots had to adjust to the elements. And to a secondary featuring a pair of second-team All-Pros.<\/p>\n The return of Mack Hollins played an integral part. Activated<\/a> from injured reserve on the eve of the AFC Championship Game after missing four weeks with an abdomen injury, he was targeted twice while starting alongside fellow elder statesman Stefon Diggs. Those targets became 51 of his quarterback\u2019s 86 passing yards.<\/p>\n Hollins\u2019 initial look came on a deep dig route that gained 20 yards on third-and-13. His next? A flea-flicker for 31 yards and New England\u2019s longest connection of the road trip.<\/p>\n Opposing passing attacks managed a 57.8 completion percentage along with 187.2 yards per game against the Broncos in the regular season. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph\u2019s group had allowed 18.3 points per game, a 33.8 percent conversion rate on third downs and a 42.6 percent conversion rate in the red zone.<\/p>\n 2025 NFL sack leaders tack on five more<\/p>\n Denver\u2019s defense racked up 68 sacks in the regular season to lead the NFL. And entering Sunday, New England\u2019s quarterback had been subject to 10 sacks since the calendar turned to the postseason. More loomed.<\/p>\n Will Campbell and Jared Wilson were in deep water on the blindside of the offensive line. Next to the No. 4 overall pick out of LSU and the No. 95 overall pick out of Georgia, there stood Garrett Bradbury at center, Mike Onwenu at right guard and reigning Pro Football Focus Offensive Player of the Week<\/a> Morgan Moses at right tackle. Thayer Munford Jr. also drew the start as an eligible tight end and would be called upon heavily from there.<\/p>\n The Broncos had ears pinned back. Linebacker Que Robinson, defensive tackle D.J. Jones and defensive end Zach Allen all hit home for sacks in the first half. And prior to the break, New England\u2019s rookie left tackle was flagged for a false start with AP Defensive Player of the Year finalist Nik Bonitto hovering across the line.<\/p>\n The AFC Championship Game went on to include five sacks altogether for Denver.<\/p>\n Stevenson takes it home with 25 carries<\/p>\n Only the Jacksonville Jaguars had given up fewer rushing yards per game than the defense that calls Mile High home. But since the bye week in December, Sunday\u2019s visitors had been averaging 162.3 yards on the ground per game.<\/p>\n Rhamondre Stevenson turned 25 carries into 71 yards. The downhill running back got New England\u2019s initial first down of the game and added a long of a dozen yards up the middle. Style points did not hold weight. He was leaned on when visibility could not be, taking nine handoffs as the time ticked away in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n Stidham\u2019s start ends with interception<\/p>\n Six quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era had made their first start of the season in the postseason. Jarrett Stidham made it seven, following Taylor Heinicke in 2021, Connor Cook in 2017, Joe Webb in 2013, Frank Reich in 1993, Gary Danielson in 1983 and Roger Staubach in 1972.<\/p>\n The 2019 Patriots draft pick<\/a> hadn\u2019t attempted a pass in a Broncos game in 749 days. He would on Sunday in the absence of injured starter Bo Nix, going 17-of-31 through the air for 133 yards with one touchdown and one interception.<\/p>\n