Drake Maye led the New England Patriots to their 12th Super Bowl appearance with a 10-7 victory over the Denver Broncos in a snowy AFC Championship game. Maye scored the only touchdown, and Christian Gonzalez sealed the win with a late interception amidst frigid conditions.
The New England Patriots advanced to their 12th Super Bowl by defeating the Denver Broncos 10-7 in a snowy and frigid AFC Championship game. Drake Maye was the offensive leader for the Patriots, running for 68 yards, throwing for 86, and scoring New England's only touchdown on a 6-yard keeper. The Patriots' defense, particularly Christian Gonzalez with a late interception of Jarrett Stidham (who filled in for the injured Bo Nix), was crucial in securing the win. This victory, achieved in sloppy conditions where both teams struggled with field goals, makes New England the third team in the Super Bowl era to win a conference championship with 10 points or less, and gives them the most playoff wins in NFL history with 40. First-year head coach Mike Vrabel now leads his team to Santa Clara, California, for the Super Bowl on February 8, where they will face either the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks. The Broncos' season ended one step short of their Super Bowl goal, hampered by injuries and the challenging weather.
