The New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos 10 to 7 in the AFC Championship Game on January 25, 2026, at Empower Field at Mile High. The Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LX after a defensive battle played in difficult snowy conditions.
The Patriots relied heavily on their defense and quarterback Drake Maye’s rushing ability. Maye completed only 10 of 21 passes for 86 yards, but he rushed for 65 yards and scored New England’s only touchdown. Denver quarterback Jarrett Stidham threw for 133 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Quick Answer
The New England Patriots beat the Denver Broncos 10 to 7 in the 2026 AFC Championship Game. Drake Maye passed for 86 yards and rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown. Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 71 yards, while Denver’s Jarrett Stidham passed for 133 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Why People Compare New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos Stats
This matchup was especially important because it was the AFC Championship Game, with a place in Super Bowl LX at stake.
New England entered the game with a 14 and 3 regular season record, while Denver also finished 14 and 3. The teams had previously met in the 2023 regular season, when New England won 26 to 23.
The 2026 championship game was much more defensive. Denver scored the only touchdown of the first quarter, but New England responded with a Drake Maye rushing touchdown before taking the lead with a field goal in the third quarter.
New England Patriots Player Stats
Drake Maye
Drake Maye had a difficult passing game but made several important plays with his legs.
His final statistics were:
- 10 completions on 21 attempts
- 86 passing yards
- 0 passing touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 65 rushing yards
- 10 rushing attempts
- 1 rushing touchdown
- Longest rush of 28 yards
Maye’s 28 yard scramble was the longest play from scrimmage by either team. His rushing touchdown tied the game in the second quarter.
Rhamondre Stevenson
Stevenson was New England’s leading rusher.
He finished with:
- 25 carries
- 71 rushing yards
- 2.8 yards per carry
- Longest run of 12 yards
- 0 touchdowns
His workload was important because New England could not consistently move the ball through the air.
Mack Hollins
Mack Hollins provided New England’s biggest receiving play.
He caught:
- 2 passes
- 51 yards
- 25.5 yards per reception
- Longest reception of 31 yards
His 31 yard catch was New England’s longest completion of the game.
Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs caught 5 passes for 17 yards on 6 targets.
His production was limited, but he led New England in receptions during the defensive struggle.
Denver Broncos Player Stats
Jarrett Stidham
Jarrett Stidham started at quarterback for Denver and completed 17 of 31 passes.
His final numbers were:
- 17 completions
- 31 attempts
- 133 passing yards
- 1 touchdown
- 1 interception
- 23 rushing yards
Stidham struggled when New England increased its defensive pressure. The Patriots eventually forced the Broncos quarterback into a critical interception late in the game.
RJ Harvey
RJ Harvey led Denver’s rushing attack.
He recorded:
- 13 carries
- 37 yards
- 2.8 yards per carry
- Longest run of 9 yards
- 0 touchdowns
Denver finished with only 79 rushing yards as a team.
Courtland Sutton
Courtland Sutton scored Denver’s only touchdown.
He caught a 6 yard touchdown pass from Stidham with 10:19 remaining in the first quarter.
New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos Comparison Table
| Stat | Patriots | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 10 | 7 |
| Passing yards | 86 | 133 |
| Rushing yards | 141 | 79 |
| Total rushing attempts | 38 | 24 |
| Passing touchdowns | 0 | 1 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 1 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 1 |
| Result | Win | Loss |
New England’s biggest statistical advantage came on the ground. The Patriots rushed for 141 yards compared with Denver’s 79.
When to Use Each Team’s Stats
Patriots stats are most important for evaluating
- Drake Maye’s rushing ability
- Rhamondre Stevenson’s workload
- New England’s defensive performance
- Third down execution
- Turnover avoidance
- The team’s ability to win despite limited passing production
Broncos stats are most important for evaluating
- Jarrett Stidham’s performance
- Denver’s rushing production
- Courtland Sutton’s touchdown
- Offensive struggles under pressure
- Turnovers
- Red zone decisions
10 Key Patriots vs Broncos Stats
- New England won 10 to 7.
- The game was the 2026 AFC Championship Game.
- Drake Maye passed for 86 yards.
- Maye rushed for 65 yards and one touchdown.
- Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 71 yards.
- New England produced 141 rushing yards.
- Denver produced 79 rushing yards.
- Jarrett Stidham passed for 133 yards.
- Stidham threw one touchdown and one interception.
- Courtland Sutton scored Denver’s only touchdown.
Common Mistakes When Reading the Stats
Mistake 1: Judging Maye only by passing yards
Maye’s 86 passing yards were low, but his 65 rushing yards and rushing touchdown were crucial to New England’s victory.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the weather
Snow and difficult conditions made passing considerably harder. New England’s defense allowed Denver only 32 yards across five second half possessions.
Mistake 3: Looking only at total yards
Denver actually produced enough offensive yardage to remain competitive, but turnovers and New England’s defensive pressure made the difference.
Mistake 4: Ignoring defensive plays
The Patriots recorded three sacks and forced important turnovers. They also blocked a 45 yard Denver field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter.
Memory Trick
Remember the game this way:
Maye ran, New England defended, Denver struggled to finish.
The Patriots did not need a big passing performance because their defense and rushing attack were enough to produce a 10 to 7 victory.
American vs British English
NFL terminology is primarily based on American English.
Terms such as touchdown, rushing yards, passing yards, field goal, quarterback, interception, sack, first down, and turnover are used internationally when discussing American football.
British sports coverage may occasionally use different general sports wording, but NFL statistics normally retain the official American terminology.
Similar Patriots vs Broncos Stats
When comparing future Patriots and Broncos games, you can also examine:
- Passing yards
- Completion percentage
- Passing touchdowns
- Interceptions
- Rushing attempts
- Rushing yards
- Receiving yards
- Sacks
- Turnovers
- Time of possession
- Third down conversions
- Red zone efficiency
These statistics provide a more complete picture than the final score alone.
Final Verdict
The New England Patriots won the AFC Championship Game 10 to 7 because their defense and rushing attack consistently produced the key plays. New England allowed Denver only seven points and shut the Broncos out after the first quarter.
Drake Maye was the central offensive figure for New England. Although he struggled as a passer, his 65 rushing yards and touchdown helped the Patriots overcome their limited passing production. Denver’s Jarrett Stidham produced 133 passing yards and a touchdown, but his late interception and the Broncos’ inability to generate rushing production proved costly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Patriots vs Broncos?
The New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos 10 to 7 in the AFC Championship Game on January 25, 2026.
How many passing yards did Drake Maye have?
Drake Maye passed for 86 yards on 10 completions from 21 attempts.
How many rushing yards did Drake Maye have?
Maye rushed for 65 yards on 10 attempts and scored one touchdown.
How many yards did Rhamondre Stevenson rush for?
Stevenson rushed for 71 yards on 25 carries.
How did Jarrett Stidham perform?
Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Who scored Denver’s touchdown?
Courtland Sutton caught a 6 yard touchdown pass from Jarrett Stidham in the first quarter.
How many rushing yards did each team have?
New England rushed for 141 yards, while Denver rushed for 79 yards.
What was the final score?
The Patriots won 10 to 7.
Remember This
The Patriots won a defensive battle in Denver, 10 to 7. Drake Maye’s legs were more important than his passing numbers, while New England’s defense controlled the game after halftime.
The biggest statistical difference was the rushing game. New England gained 141 rushing yards compared with Denver’s 79, while the Patriots also avoided throwing an interception.
Conclusion
The New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos AFC Championship Game was a low scoring contest decided by defense, rushing production, and a handful of critical plays. Denver scored first through Courtland Sutton, but New England responded with Drake Maye’s rushing touchdown and a field goal to take a 10 to 7 lead.
Maye finished with modest passing numbers but made a major impact as a runner, while Rhamondre Stevenson supplied 71 rushing yards. The Patriots defense then shut Denver out in the second half, forced turnovers, and prevented the Broncos from completing their comeback. The result sent New England to Super Bowl LX.
Daniel Charles is a dedicated author and dream interpretation enthusiast at DrameyHut. He specializes in analyzing dream symbols and meanings, offering clear and insightful content for readers. His work aims to help individuals understand their subconscious thoughts, gain clarity, and explore the deeper messages hidden within their dreams.
