Patriots quarterback Drake Maye went 10-of-21 for 86 yards and added 65 rushing yards, including a rushing touchdown on 10 carries, as New England edged Denver in a defensive affair. The game stayed within reach for most of the afternoon and remained close until the closing moments.
CBS Sports highlighted the game as the most-watched NFL postseason duel on any network this season, drawing 48.618 million viewers and peaking at 57.759 million. The strong numbers underscored a postseason audience that remained highly engaged through the championship round.
Despite ongoing criticism of the network’s No. 1 broadcast duo, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo, CBS reported a solid season overall. The network also aired the most-watched regular-season game (Chiefs vs. Cowboys on Thanksgiving) with 57.231 million viewers and claimed the season’s highest combined NFL viewership, totaling about 23.094 million viewers for the year. CBS is slated to broadcast the Super Bowl in 2027.
The 2025 AFC Championship’s television success reflects a broader push for high-profile postseason matchups and sustained audience interest, even as pundits weigh the performance of top broadcast teams. The Patriots’ focus now shifts to the ultimate prize as they prepare for the Super Bowl appearance that eluded them since 2019.
