Key moments 🏈
– Early spark: Jarrett Stidham, making his first start of the year, hits Marvin Mims Jr. on a 52-yard strike, setting up a 7-yard Courtland Sutton TD for a 7-0 Denver lead (10:19 Q1).
– Defensive duel: Denver’s D clamps down, sacks the QB, and keeps NE scoreless for most of the first half.
– Shifting momentum: In the second, a controversial backward pass by Stidham is ruled a fumble at Denver’s 12. Drake Maye caps it with a 6-yard TD run to tie it at 7-7 right before the break.
– Stidham accepts the blame: “I can’t put our team in a bad position,” he said, admitting the play was his fault.
– Snow slows the pace: The third quarter features a grueling 16-play, 64-yard drive by the Patriots that ends with a 23-yard Borregales field goal, putting NE up 10-7.
– Broncos’ late chances: Wil Lutz misses a 45-yard FG with 4:42 left. Denver’s final drive ends with an interception by Christian Gonzalez as the clock expires.
standout numbers
– Stidham: 133 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
– Key plays: Sutton TD catch, Mims Jr. big grab
– Final: Patriots advance to face Seattle or LA in Santa Clara on Feb. 8 (SB LX)
Takeaway for the Broncos 🏁
A tight, weather-impacted defensive battle that slipped away on one costly play. Stidham owned the late blunder, and New England seized the moment to clinch a shot at the title. Broncos stay hopeful for next season’s chase, while the Patriots punch their ticket to the big game. 📊🔥
