Jarrett Stidham (8) of the Denver Broncos leaves the field after the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos jogs off the field after the New England Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Gonzalez (0) of the New England Patriots celebrates making a game-clinching interception on a pass by Jarrett Stidham (8) of the Denver Broncos that was intended for Marvin Mims Jr. (19) during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Gonzalez (0) of the New England Patriots celebrates an interception in the 4th quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Christian Gonzalez (0) of the New England Patriots celebrates with teammates after making a game-clinching interception on a pass by Jarrett Stidham (8) of the Denver Broncos that was intended for Marvin Mims Jr. (19) during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Wil Lutz (3) of the Denver Broncos jogs off the field after missing a game-tying field goal during the fourth quarter of the New England Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Crews clear snow during 4th quarter of AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
A Denver Broncos fan reacts after the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Drake Maye (10) of the New England Patriots works from inside the 10-yard-line of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Drake Maye (10) of the New England Patriots runs against the Denver Broncos defense during the 4th quarter of AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos fans cheer their team on against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos fans cheer their team on against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos fans cheer their team on against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jarrett Stidham (8) of the Denver Broncos scrambles as Quinn Meinerz (77) blocks K'lavon Chaisson (44) of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
RJ Harvey (12) of the Denver Broncos rushes the ball against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Marcus Jones (25) of the New England Patriots breaks up a pass intended for Lil'Jordan Humphrey (17) of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos fans watch the action against the New England Patriots during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Malcolm Roach (97) and D.J. Jones (93) of the Denver Broncos bring down Drake Maye (10) of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Malcolm Roach (97) of the Denver Broncos salutes after bringing down Drake Maye (10) of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Andy Borregales (36) of the New England Patriots makes a 10-7 field goal as the Denver Broncos attempt to block it during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos brave the snow and cold during the fourth quarter of the New England Patriots’ 10-7 AFC Championship Game win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jarrett Stidham (8) of the Denver Broncos loses the ball as Christian Elliss (53) of the New England Patriots makes a hit during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Drake Maye (10) of the New England Patriots rushes in for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Pat Surtain II (2) of the Denver Broncos punches the goal post padding after breaking up a pass intended for Kayshon Boutte (9) of the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jarrett Stidham (8) of the Denver Broncos prepares to operate against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
D.J. Jones (93) and Eyioma Uwazurike (96) of the Denver Broncos sack Drake Maye (10) of the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Drake Maye (10) of the New England Patriots reacts to being sacked by D.J. Jones (93) and Eyioma Uwazurike (96) of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Pat Surtain II (2) of the Denver Broncos defends as a deep pass to Kayshon Boutte (9) of the New England Patriots sails during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Gonzalez (0) of the New England Patriots prepares to break up a pass to Courtland Sutton (14) of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Courtland Sutton (14) of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown in the 1st quarter against the New England Patriots during the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Courtland Sutton (14) of the Denver Broncos celebrates catching a touchdown pass from Jarrett Stidham (8) during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jarrett Stidham (8) and Courtland Sutton (14) of the Denver Broncos celebrate connecting on a pass-catch touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
A Denver Broncos fan cheers his team on against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jarrett Stidham (8) of the Denver Broncos throws as Jahlani Tavai (48) of the New England Patriots pressures during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Marvin Mims Jr. (19) of the Denver Broncos beats Christian Gonzalez (0) of the New England Patriots for a deep reception during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Que Robinson (51) of the Denver Broncos sacks Drake Maye (10) of the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jarrett Stidham (8) of the Denver Broncos warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
A Denver Broncos fan holds a sign in support of Jarrett Stidham (8) before the game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos cheerleaders dance during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos mascot miles gets the crowd going during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Head coach Sean Payton and Courtland Sutton (14) of the Denver Broncos stand for the national anthem before the game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Alex Singleton (49) of the Denver Broncos jogs before the game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Officials cut the ties on the official game balls during the first quarter between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
TJ Tyrreni, left, and his brother Chris dressed up for the AFC Championship Game as the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Andrea Burgess, front, celebrates ahead of the AFC Championship Game as the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Tanya Willson celebrates ahead of the AFC Championship Game as the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Gino Villalovas celebrates ahead of the AFC Championship Game as the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos fan Storm Flores, right, and his brother and New England Patriots fan Austin warm up for the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
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Jarrett Stidham (8) of the Denver Broncos leaves the field after the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
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By AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Hyoung Chang | hchang@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Denver Broncos hosted the New England Patriots for the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Sunday, January 25, 2026. New England won 10-7 as frigid winter weather descended on the stadium, blanketing the field in snow during the second half.
