Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High.
Final | Patriots 10, Broncos 7
Broncos’ season lost in whiteout one game short of Super Bowl: ‘It’s going to hurt for a long time’
Three plays and two big fourth-down decisions were the difference in Sunday’s AFC Championship in Denver as the Patriots held off the Broncos, 10-7, at snowy Empower Field to advance to the franchise’s record 12th Super Bowl.
The Broncos, 4-0 in previous playoff games against New England before Sunday’s loss, now enter an offseason wondering what could have been after losing Bo Nix to a broken ankle following the divisional win over the Bills. Veteran journeyman Jarrett Stidham started in Nix’s place and staked the Broncos to an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 6-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton. Two plays before, Stidham hit Marvin Mims on a deep ball for 52 yards that set up the scoring opportunity.
Sean Payton’s gamble on a fourth-and-1 from the Patriots’ 14 later in the quarter backfired, however, after Stidham missed on a pass to RJ Harvey.
The Patriots tied the game at 7-7 after forcing Stidham into a sack and a fumble at the Broncos’ own 14. New England coach Mike Vrabel was livid that officials blew the play dead on what would have been a sure Patriots’ touchdown, but it was a moot point after Drake Maye ran the ball in from 6 yards out for the touchdown.
Andy Borregales gave the Patriots the 3-point lead that wound up being the difference when he drilled a 23-yard field goal with 5:23 remaining in the third quarter. The field goal came after Vrabel opted to go with a tush push on fourth-and 1 from the 8, with Drake Maye picking up the first down. Payton challenged the spot and lost, losing a timeout in the process.
Borregales missed two other field goals, while the Broncos’ Wil Lutz missed a 45-yard field goal with 4:46 to go.
More Broncos coverage:
- Broncos’ season lost in whiteout one game short of Super Bowl: ‘Itap going to hurt for a long time.’
- The Broncos’ defense brought it against the Patriots in AFC Championship, but it wasn’t enough.
- Broncos-Patriots report card: Sean Payton, Broncos’ offense falls in snow in AFC Championship loss.
- Broncos four downs: Sean Payton's costly fourth-down call probably cost Denver Super Bowl trip.
- Broncos wideout Pat Bryant exits AFC Championship Game with hamstring injury.
Live updates
Fourth-quarter updates
First down (4 p.m.): Drake Maye gets the first down. That's game. — Nguyen
Picked (3:54 p.m.): That might be game. Jarrett Stidham is picked off by former CU Buffs star Christian Gonzalez. — Nguyen
Not in this weather. Not in this game. This moment. Dang. -- Keeler
From up here in the warm press box, could feel the hope deflate out of the cold, orange-clad stadium after that Stidham INT on a badly underthrown ball.
The Stidham INT was intended for Marvin Mims Jr. on a go route down the right sideline, but Christian Gonzalez was in tight coverage even before the ball was underthrown. — Newman
Random thought (3:51 p.m.): This game is played in 2031 in a new Broncos stadium. It's nice before the game and forecast to potentially snow later on.
Roof open or closed? — Gabriel
Big stop (3:50 p.m.): Malcolm Roach stops the run for a 2-yard loss. Third down. — Nguyen
Field goal missed (3:48 p.m.): Wil Lutz misses the 45-yard field-goal attempt after his kick was tipped. New England gets the ball back at its own 28. Denver's defense is going to have to come up with something big on this drive. — Nguyen
Wil Lutz misses the 45-yarder and it's still 10-7 Patriots with under 5 minutes to go. — Peterson
By the way, it appears that Lutz missed field goal was deflected by New England's Leonard Taylor III. — Newman
Broncos are going to need a turnover to win this game. -- Saunders
Prime position (3:44 p.m.): Stop by Broncos' defense and a shanked Patriots' punt sets up Broncos with prime field position. — Peterson
The upright flags are whipping in pain right now. Can't go backward here. Can't, can't, can't. — Keeler
Loss yardage (3:43 p.m.): Patriots slipped. Lose 3 yards on the play. — Nguyen
All Broncos need is for Louis Wright scoop up a fumble and score. -- Renck
Patriots net minus-1 yards on their drive on that 3-and-out. Started off bad with running back slipping on first down, and went further south from there, leading to shanked punt. — Newman
Attendance (3:40 p.m.): Today's attendance at Empower Field: 76,862. — Newman
76,862 fans at the game. 200 no-shows. They get booed, naturally. 500,000 will say they were here in the snow if Broncos come back to win. -- Saunders
MVP (3:39 p.m.): Another dime from Crawshaw. If Broncos win, he gets a game ball. — Peterson
Elijah Moore sighting (3:39 p.m.): A 4-yard pass to Moore. Denver needed 10, though. — Nguyen
With the Broncos punting with clock at 8:21, Denver needs its defense to not just get a stop, but force a turnover to set up a short field. Or, this defense can cement itself in Orange Crush lore with a defensive TD to win the game. Either way, Broncos offense needs major help. A 10-7 deficit feels like 24-10 right now. — Newman
Run game (3:38 p.m.): Pats QB Drake Maye has 64 yards rushing. Broncos have 72 yards rushing -- total. -- Saunders
First down (3:36 p.m.): Tyler Badie with the 3-yard gain up the gut for the first down. — Nguyen
Big gain (3:35 p.m.): RJ Harvey with a nice 9-yard run up the right side to start the drive. — Nguyen
Sacked (3:31 p.m.): Big split-sack by D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach. It forces the Patriots to punt. — Nguyen
Snow (3:29 p.m.): The snow's reminding me of C.J. Anderson's game-winning overtime touchdown against the Pats back in November of 2015. The Broncos need some of that magic right now if they want to continue their season. — Nguyen
Weather (3:25 p.m.): This is like football played in a bag of flour. Footing is fleeting. — Keeler
Third-quarter thoughts — Patriots 10, Broncos 7
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Broncos have come up a with a drive when they need it all season. Of course, that's been with Bo Nix at the helm.
Denver's six possessions since Jarrett Stidham's first-quarter TD pass to Courtland Sutton:
- 3 punts
- TOD
- Missed FG
- Fumble that led to NE's lone TD
Sean Keeler, columnist: Mother Nature is calling the tune the rest of the way, kids. It's a skating rink out there. Best ground game and fewer mistakes (including on special teams) are winning from here on out. And that might not be good — since the first quarter, the Patriots have outgained the Broncos on the ground by a count of 101-31. Oh, for that 10-0 lead back.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos had the ball for one possession and one play in the third. Drake Maye has nearly as many yards rushing as passing. This game is going to come down to a turnover. Broncos defense had played well. But will need a takeaway to win to advance to Super Bowl.
Nate Peterson, sports editor: The snow — missing in Colorado for most of this unseasonably warm winter — has shown up in force for this AFC title game.
Kyle Newman, reporter: The defensive slugfest doubles down in the second half with the arrival of swirling snow. This game will come down to the wire, and the defense that forces a turnover / makes the most plays, that team will win the game. Broncos defense, best in the league in many categories this season, has to come up with a game-changing play.
Patrick Saunders, reporter: Phoenix weather in Denver for most of the fall and winter, and now it's snowing like crazy. Great scene at Empower Field at Mile High. Pats lead Broncos 10-7 heading into the fourth quarter.
Third-quarter updates
Field goal missed (3:17 p.m.): Patriots kicker Andres Borregales misses his second field goal of the game. Patriots 10, Broncos 7 with 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter. — Nguyen
Patriots attempting a 46-yard field in the snow and wind. He missed it... The danger of long field goals in these conditions. They are really hard. And puts opponent two first downs away from FG.
Broncos are starting second possession of half. There are 11 seconds left in third. -- Renck
Heck of a stop for the Denver defense right there. And curious that Josh McDaniels got so conservative on third-and-7. Run play went nowhere and Borregales pushed the FG right.
Denver's got great field position starting with :11 left in the third quarter. — Gabriel
Denver D (3:12 p.m.): Denver defense has played very well so far, only giving up one true scoring drive via the field goal to open the third. D can't break now -- a touchdown and 10-point lead could be fatal, given recent struggles of Stidham & Co. — Newman
Special teams (3:12 p.m.): Marcus Jones is a big-time returner, making that Kris Abrams-Draine tackle all the more important.
Jones might have gone a while had he got past KAD. — Gabriel
Three-and-out (3:09 p.m.): As the snow comes falling down, the Broncos' offense struggled on its opening drive of the second half. — Nguyen
Three-and-out for Denver.
Game has completely flipped since the Broncos' failed on the fourth-and-1 in the second quarter. — Gabriel
The reality of playing a backup quarterback in poor weather with limited weapons is clobbering Broncos over the head. Going to need a defensive turnover or big special teams play to win this game. -- Renck
Bah gawd (3:08 p.m.): Oxford Dictionary, Sloberknocker: A match or contest that is particularly hard-fought or physically aggressive. -- Saunders
Sacked (3:05 p.m.): Jonathon Cooper had one sack in his last 9 games. Huge one on third down. -- Renck
Field goal, Patriots (3:04 p.m.): A nine minute, 31 second drive for the Patriots to open the second half. Possessions are going to be very valuable going forward with how much time that drive just ate up. — Newman
A 16-play drive for New England over 9:31 to open the second half.
Broncos offense needs to possess the ball a bit here. — Gabriel
Pats' drive: 16 plays, 64 yards, 9 minutes, 31 seconds. A field goal. Denver trails 10-7. -- Saunders
Run game (3 p.m.): Pats' run game is starting to take over. Rhamondre Stevenson churned 12 yards before Drake Maye scrambled up the middle, and then beat a man to the sideline for a 28-yard gain. 7-7 game but Patriots on verge of taking the lead as the snow comes down. -- Saunders
Key sequence on the opening drive of the second half: on fourth-and-1 at the Broncos' 8-yard line, Maye does a Tush Push to pick up the first down. Denver challenges, and loses. — Newman
Two fourth-and-shorts. Pats trusted their run game. Payton didn’t. — Keeler
Injury update (2:59 p.m.): Broncos WR Pat Bryant ruled out with the hamstring injury. — Gabriel
Challenge (2:58 p.m.): Sean Payton is challenging the Patriots' first down on fourth-and-1. Sure looked like it was just short from the sky cam. — Nguyen
Field position (2:55 p.m.): Sean Payton to CBS coming out of halftime: "We had good field position most of that first half. We're getting a little more pressure. We've got to do a good job adjusting here at halftime. Defensively we've been outstanding. The only score was when we turned it over.
"The second half, we'll be ready." — Gabriel
Running game (2:53 p.m.): New England is marching down the field with seven straight running plays, including that last one by Drake Maye for 28 yards. — Nguyen
Drake Maye has been at his best when running. Big gain puts Patriots in red zone on New England's first drive of second half. -- Renck
Field position (2:50 p.m.): Via CBS, Pats' Mike Vrabel at halftime: "The field position was a big deal early, then I'm proud of the way we settled down. We made it a football game and took advantage of the turnover.
"We've got to get into our rhythm, be able to run the ball and stay balanced. To not beat ourselves, get lined up and start executing." -- Saunders
Let it snow (2:48 p.m.): It's starting to snow at Empower Field. We've got 30 minutes to determine who goes to the Super Bowl. Setting up to be a classic. — Gabriel
Halftime thoughts — Broncos 7, Patriots 7
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: If you'd have asked Broncos fans if they'd take a tie game at halftime, my guess is most would have said yes. But that felt like a first half of missed opportunities for the home team. The failed fourth down, the bad Jarrett Stidham turnover, the missed FG, etc.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Big games come down to 2 or 3 plays per half. Denver won one with Stidham long pass to Mims. Then Stidham gave it back with his silly turnover. The game has sped up on him, understandable. But he needs to change his default setting from backpedal, to fainting goat. Broncos feel like they should be winning by 10 points. But all things considered, they are in decent shape with way defense is playing.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Luck be a Brady! The eye test says the Broncos should be up two scores. At least. New England takes a little momentum into the half and comes out of the break with the ball. Vance Joseph's defense has almost always used that first third-quarter drive as a tone-setter. If you like chess matches, buckle up, kids. Here comes the adjustments. Hopefully.
Nate Peterson, sports editor: With Patriots opening the second half with the ball, the Broncos defense — which has been lights out so far — must kill the momentum New England generated in the final 3 minutes after the costly Jarrett Stidham fumble. The Patriots are winning the "middle eight" so far — and how the first four minutes of the third quarter go will likely determine which team is headed to Santa Clara.
Kyle Newman, reporter: Broncos should be firmly in control of this game. Instead, because of passing up an easy field goal, a Stidham turnover that set up New England for an easy TD, and then a missed field goal by Lutz with 20 seconds left, it's 7-7 at half. Patriots probably feeling good about that tie score, even after missing their own long field goal at the halftime buzzer. But the fact remains that Denver's pass-rush has been much, much better than the New England offensive line. That will be an X-factor in the second half with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
Patrick Saunders, reporter: Two Super Bowl defenses. Offenses? Not so much.
Second-quarter updates
Timeout, Patriots (2:33 p.m.): New England calls timeout with one second left for a 63-yard field-goal attempt. It's no good. — Nguyen
No good, Broncos (2:29 p.m.): Wil Lutz misses the 54-yard field-goal attempt. The Pats are getting the ball back at their own 36. — Nguyen
Huge first down (2:27 p.m.): RJ Harvey takes off for an 11-yard gain. — Nguyen
Three-and-out (2:24 p.m.): Denver's getting ball back. They called timeout. They'll have 48 seconds to see if they can retake the lead before halftime. — Nguyen
Now, a key stretch coming up for the Pats defense. After a New England three-and-out, Broncos set up at their 49-yard line with 48 seconds left and no timeouts. Only need a few yards to get into field goal range. — Newman
Broncos have 48 seconds to take back the lead. Ball at Denver 49. Can't waste the chance. -- Saunders
Can't ask for much more than what the Denver defense has delivered so far today. — Gabriel
Patriots half pregnant on that drive. Either go for it. Or run the clock. They did neither. Now Broncos have ball at midfield with chance to get a field goal. -- Renck
Punting (2:21 p.m.): Broncos will punt from midfield with 1:42 left in the first half.
Pats will get it, tied at 7, knowing they also start the second half with the ball.
Key stretch coming up for the Denver defense. — Gabriel
Touchdown, Patriots (2:11 p.m.): Two plays later, Drake Maye keeper quiets the crowd and ties the game 7-7 with 2:10 left in the half. — Newman
Just a massive turn of events late in the first half. — Gabriel
I blame SNL. Also, Sean. A little bit the refs. But mostly, SNL. — Keeler
First adversity Jarrett Stidham's had in this game. Now 7-7 and New England has momentum.
Denver has 2:10 to work at the end of the half. This is where we see what Stidham's made of. — Evans
Jarrett Stidham has outplayed MVP candidate Drake Maye so far, but one costly mistake by the Broncos QB opens the door for New England to turn this into a tie game with 2:10 to go in the first half. — Peterson
Wow, the entire tenor of the game and the crowd has changed. Patriots 7, Broncos 7. Two key moments: Dumb call by Sean Payton deep in Pats' territory on 4th down; panic fumble by Jarrett Stidham sets up New England TD. -- Saunders
Turnover (2:10 p.m.): Mike Vrabel with some choice words for the officials there: "Why'd you blow the (expletive) whistle?"
And not being up 10 comes back to bite. Hard. -- Keeler
And never mind. The call was overturned. It was called a fumble and recovered by New England. A whistle blew, so it wasn't a touchdown. — Nguyen
Penalty (2:08 p.m.): Intentional grounding call on Jarrett Stidham saves Denver from giving up a touchdown to the Patriots on that play. Bo Nix's legs are sorely missed. — Nguyen
First down (2:05 p.m.): Stiddy has ice in his veins. Finds Marvin Mims Jr., who stretches out for the first down. — Nguyen
One-sided (2:05 p.m.): Feels like it should be a blowout ... but Broncos' lead is just 7-0 with 5:09 left in the first half. -- Saunders
Injury (2:04 p.m.): Broncos WR Pat Bryant is questionable to return with a hamstring injury. — Newman
Man, Pat Bryant just can't catch a break recently. — Gabriel
Matchups matter (2:03 p.m.): And the Broncos' greatest strength playing right into NE's biggest weakness: VJ's pass rush vs. the Pats' OL. So far, at least. Man, you'd love to take a double-digit lead into the break, though. — Keeler
Sacked (2 p.m.): Zach Allen takes down Drake Maye for Denver's third sack of the day. — Nguyen
Zach Allen sack on third down then snuffs out the drive. Pats front not holding up well against the best pass rush in the NFL. Three Denver sacks so far. — Newman
Three sacks for the Denver defense so far, including that drive.
Patriots have four drives and two first downs. — Gabriel
First down (1:59 p.m.): Empower Field crowd noise reaches 116.2 DB on Pats' 3rd and 13, but Maye finds wideout Mack Hollins -- just back off IR from a late-season ab injury -- for a first-down conversion. Big pickup for a New England offense that's done nothing so far. — Newman
Sacked (1:57 p.m.): Jonathon Cooper nearly takes down Drake Maye, but then D.J. Jones takes him down for the sack. — Nguyen
Legend returns (1:56 p.m.): Champ Bailey, Broncos Ring of Famer and Pro Football Hall of Famer, on hand and recognized during the TV timeout at Empower Field. — Newman
Backed up (1:55 p.m.): Dangerous spot for Patriots here, backed up in the south end zone with the South Stands rocking and the Broncos defense looking to force a turnover.
Empower Field is cranked up to 11. — Peterson
Too cute (1:54 p.m.): After calling a great quarter-and-a-half, CUTE Sean returns. Oy, vey. Nope, nope, nope. -- Keeler
On fourth-and-1, Broncos try to throw it. Stidham pressured, incomplete on a play that had no chance. Big stop by the Pats D to keep deficit at 7-0. — Newman
Fourth-and-1 and instead of a tush push, Broncos get cute and it costs them. — Peterson
Understand the aggression from Sean Payton there but the way Denver’s defense is playing, 10-0 would have looked pretty good. — Gabriel
Sometimes coaches overthink things ... -- Saunders
Fourth down (1:53 p.m.): 4th-and-one for Broncos. Will they go for it deep in Pats' territory or settle for field goal at 10-0 lead? -- Saunders
Passing game (1:53 p.m.): Per Associated Press: Fewest net yards passing in 1st quarter of conference title game since 1991 season:
- Chiefs -14 vs Patriots, 2018 season
- Bengals -9 vs Chiefs, 2022
- 49ers -8 vs Falcons, 2012
- Seahawks -3 vs Packers, 2014
- Patriots -2 vs Broncos, today
- Raiders -1 vs Ravens, 2000.
— Renck
RJ Harvey (1:51 p.m.): R.J. Harvey with sick stutter step, and stays north-and-south. Haven't seen that enough. Be the perfect game to show why Broncos drafted him instead of TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson has been terrific this season. Harvey has odd year. Not productive run game. But a TD machine. -- Renck
Play-calling (1:50 p.m.): Sean Payton is calling a heck of a game so far. — Gabriel
Nice gain (1:49 p.m.): The hesitation handoff paid off as RJ Harvey takes off for a 9-yard gain. — Nguyen
First down (1:48 p.m.): Stiddy is calm and collected. A short completion to Lil'Jordan Humphrey for the first down. — Nguyen
First-quarter thoughts — Broncos 7, Patriots 0
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Jarrett Stidham is a terrific story and he's doing his part so far. But it's pretty simple: if Vance Joseph's defense plays like this for 45 more minutes, the Broncos are going to the Super Bowl.
Luca Evans, beat writer: The Patriots have a Will Campbell problem, and it's throwing off their entire offensive rhythm right now.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Per Nexf Gen Stats: The 41 air yards on the toss from Jarrett Stidham to Mims is the longest by any Broncos QB this season, including the playoffs. Remember those deep balls in September? If Stiddy hits on half of those, the "upset" is on, baby. And you KNOW Sean wants to call 'em.
Troy Renck, columnist: It has followed the blueprint. Broncos show balance offensively. A 56-yard punt pins Patriots. Jarrett Stidham hits Mims for 52-yard strike and Sutton for score. And Patriots have 12 yards. If Patriots forced to play from behind, the Broncos edge rushers are going to go off.
Nate Peterson, sports editor: End of the first quarter, Jarrett Stidham is 4 of 8 for 67 yards and a TD while Drake Maye is just 3 of 6 for 7 yards.
Kyle Newman, sports reporter: apountry has to be satisfied with the vibe of that first quarter as the frame ends with Denver leading 7-0 and the ball around midfield. Stidham has looked good following a bad first pass on a screen, while Maye and the Pats offense is discombobulated. Payton outcoaching Vrabel.
First-quarter updates
Frank Crum (1:42 p.m.): THROW IT TO CRUM. — Keeler
Massive cheer when Frank Crum got announced as an eligible receiver. — Gabriel
Injury update (1:40 p.m.): Patriots LB Robert Spillane questionable to return with an ankle injury. -- Newman
By the numbers (1:40 p.m.): One first down and 12 yards through three drives for the Pats offense. Vance Joseph's group is humming so far. — Gabriel
Three-and-out (1:39 p.m.): Three plays for minus-5 yards for the Pats there. — Nguyen
Sacked (1:38 p.m.): Que Robinson enters the pantheon of Denver legend. -- Keeler
On Que. Que Robinson motors past right tackle and sacks Drake Maye. That is the 11th sack Maye has taken in playoffs. -- Renck
Que Robinson was heads up on that sack to avoid the horse-collar penalty as he sacked Maye from behind. Next play, errant Maye pass to the flat, and Patriots punt again. The NFL's most efficient QB during the regular season has not looked good during this first quarter. -- Newman
Que Robinson was activated today for just the seventh time this season. That was the first solo sack of his NFL career. What a time for it, too. Fourth-round rookie with a lot of promise in Denver. — Evans
Early strike (1:37 p.m.): FYI, Broncos are 5-0 when they score first in AFC championship games. -- Saunders
Just missed (1:36 p.m.): Timing, timing, timing. And a little rust. Decent placement, though. -- Keeler
Run game and an injury (1:33 p.m.): I stand corrected, as the Broncos run it three straight times. And linebacker Robert Spillane now down for the Pats. — Keeler
Seven runs, six passes so far for Broncos. That is how you win this game. -- Renck
Run, Stiddy, run (1:30 p.m.): STIDDY WHEELS BE MOTORIN'. — Keeler
The Empower Field crowd showering the Broncos offense with 'Stiddy' chants. — Gabriel
Run game (1:29 p.m.): Just what the Broncos need to shorten the game. A between-the-tackles run by RJ Harvey for 9 yards. Keeps the clock running. — Peterson
When RJ Harvey makes the right read between the tackles, he's a load. Has make-you-miss and also can run through tackles. Showed all of it on that first-down run. — Gabriel
Angry (1:25 p.m.): Somebody's playing angry. And it's beautiful. -- Keeler
Nik Bonitto came real close on third down to getting to Maye. As it is, the Broncos defense forces another punt. — Gabriel
Broncos' best players are better than Patriots' best players. And so far, Denver is exploiting mismatches. Nik Bonitto was within a blink of a strip sack. -- Renck
PS2 (1:24 p.m.): Absolutely textbook coverage by Pat Surtain II on Pats' first deep ball attempt to Kayshon Boutte down the left sideline. Surtain was in perfect position, easily broke it up. — Newman
Stuffed (1:23 p.m.): Broncos defense flying around. Sniffed out the screen to Diggs for a 2-yard loss. — Peterson
Touchdown, Broncos (1:17 p.m.): STIDDY CITY GOING MENTAL. — Keeler
That drive should stoke Stidham's confidence: First the bomb to Mims, then a TD pass to Sutton to put Broncos up 7-0 at the 10:19 mark of first quarter. "Stiddy" chants from the Mile High crowd. — Newman
Pats thought they could confuse Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham ... but it was the Pats' heads spinning on that last drive. Broncos lead 7-0. -- Saunders
Can't think of a much better way to settle in Jarrett Stidham than that. Hits the big one over the top and then a wide-open Courtland Sutton for a TD. — Gabriel
Jarrett Stidham connects with Courtland Sutton for a 6-yard touchdown to cap that five-play, 59-yard drive. Broncos 7, Patriots 0 with 10:19 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen
Mimsy! (1:15 p.m.): After being off-target to Marvin Mims on the screen the play before, Stiddy drops a dime to Mims down the middle of the seam for a 52-yard gain. — Peterson
Stidham to Mims ... Montanta to Rice ... 52 yards. Broncos in business at Pats' 7-yard line. -- Saunders
The Full Stiddy Experience in two plays: Overthrows a screen with too much heat on the fastball, then a GORGEOUS rainbow deep to Mims for 52 yards. That last throw is one of the few (mid-to-deep) he DOES throw better than Nix. And here we go. -- Keeler
Seems like the guy who roasts Pat Surtain II in practice and runs past Christian Gonzalez should be playing a lot. — Gabriel
Greenlaw (1:10 p.m.): For last two games now, we've seen Vance Joseph play Dre Greenlaw at ILB in early-down base and then turn to Justin Strnad for third down/clear passing situations.
Clear Joseph likes Greenlaw against the run, Strnad in coverage/blitzing situations. — Evans
Nearly picked (1:09 p.m.): Oh, for a pick there and short field. Oh, oh, oh, oh. — Keeler
Drake Maye throws a perfect ball to ... Talanoa Hufanga ... who can't come up with it. — Peterson
First big PBU of the game goes to... Stefon Diggs, who got it away from Talanoa Hufanga on third down. — Gabriel
Stephon Diggs breaks up the INT to Talanoa Hufanga. But man it was it loud. Drake Maye has been shaky in the playoffs. -- Renck
Big boot (1:07 p.m.): CRAWBOMB. — Keeler
Hell of a punt ... 56 yards. Pins Pats down at their own 8-yard line. -- Saunders
You don't see the "coffin corner" punts too often anymore in today's NFL but Jeremy Crawshaw goes to the wayback machine to drop a 56-yard punt into the corner. — Peterson
Play-calling (1:05 p.m.): Someone is afraid to drive in the snow.. Very conservative drive with two RJ Harvey runs up the middle. -- Renck
Two handoffs to open the game ... that netted a yard. And it might be the last back-to-back handoffs we see all afternoon. — Keeler
First two offensive snaps for Broncos are a pair of carries to RJ Harvey, which net them one yard. Then Stidham is pressured out of the pocket and incomplete. Not a great start for the Broncos offense. — Newman
Big-time advice (1:04 p.m.): John Elway is the Broncos' honorary captain. His advice to Stidham? "Take it one play at a time." — Peterson
Coint toss (1:02 p.m.): "Welcome to the AFC Championship. Winner's going to the Super Bowl." Ref sets the stakes at the coin flip for another Broncos-Pats showdown in Denver with the AFC title at stake. — Peterson
Pats QB Drake Maye has fumbled six times in two playoff games. ... Look for the Broncos to come after him early. -- Saunders
Patriots win toss and defer. Stiddy up. -- Renck
Broncos game captains: Alex Singleton, Talanoa Hufanga and Quinn Meinerz.
Patriots win the toss and defer. Jarrett Stidham up first with the ball.
Here we go. — Gabriel
Pre-game updates
apountry (12:59 p.m.): Empower Field is bathed in orange. Not too many Pats fans in the stands. Broncos pulling out all the stops with Nathaniel Rateliff belting out the anthem. — Peterson
Nathaniel Rateliff -- without the Nightsweats -- with a terrific national anthem. -- Saunders
ESPN's predictions (12:56 p.m.): ESPN predictions .... it's all Patriots:
- Maldonado's pick: Patriots 24, Broncos 21
- Moody's pick: Patriots 23, Broncos 19
- Solak's pick: Patriots 27, Broncos 16
- Walder's pick: Patriots 23, Broncos 20
-- Saunders
It's cold (12:50 p.m.): It's 26 degrees and cloudy. Wind out of the north at 7 mph with gusts to 12. Windchill: 17 degrees at kickoff.
Forecast is for winds to pick up through the afternoon with up to an inch of snow by the time we're done here. — Gabriel
Celebrity sightings (12:38 p.m.): It's a who's who scene on the Broncos sideline as the team comes off the field. All kinds of alumnus plus the ownership group and also Chris Rock and Queen Latifah.
Players and coaches filtered off the field through the bench area to the locker room. Among the last off: Jarrett Stidham, who hugged Broncos owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton-Penner on his way back to the locker room. — Gabriel
Atmosphere (12:28 p.m.): Wandering around the tailgating lots surrounding Empower Field, there’s plenty of exchanges of chants between Broncos diehards and New England fans who have managed to find tickets to this sold-out AFC Championship Game.
“You guys are about to witness a sad day!” exclaimed one Denver fan wearing a Pat Surtain II jersey to a group of confident Pats fans. The atmosphere outside the stadium has all the feels of vintage fan highlights from an old NFL Films tape. apountry is ready for this one. -- Newman
Cowboy Jarrett Stidham (11:47 a.m.): Jarrett Stidham arrived at the game wearing a cowboy hat. This is classic Stidham. He is not letting the week change his personality. Be yourself has been a common theme. Can he do that now when the fire alarms are blaring? Well... Stiddy Up... is now the new rallying cry. -- Renck
Bo watch (11:37 a.m.): Bo Nix's season is over, but he's going to be in the building today. He'll be watching along with other Denver players not in uniform at Empower Field. A lot of storylines around the QBs this week, but one that has come to mind a few times: It has to be absolutely brutal for Nix to be watching as his team plays for a trip to the Super Bowl. — Gabriel
Roster moves (11:33 a.m.): A couple of guys filling in key spots: WR Elijah Moore is Denver's fifth receiver today and Sam Mustipher is the No. 2 center behind Luke Wattenberg. — Gabriel
Inactives (11:31 a.m.): Broncos WR Troy Franklin (hamstring) is officially inactive.
The rest:
- C Alex Forsyth (ankle)
- S JL Skinner (quad)
- WR Michael Bandy (PS)
- DL Sai'Vion Jones
- DL Jordan Jackson
- ILB Karene Reid
— Gabriel
Game day (10:51 a.m.): It's a beautiful but cold morning at Empower Field for AFC Championship Sunday. The Broncos and Patriots play for a spot in the Super Bowl at 1 p.m.
We've seen Jarrett Stidham out for early warmups, Garett Bolles taking his pregame walk in a Bo Nix jersey and safety JL Skinner, questionable with a quad injury, go through a pregame workout under the watchful eyes of training staff and GM George Paton.
Setting up to bet quite a day here. — Gabriel
Weather (9:58 a.m.): Heading to the game? Snow's likely for kick-off. — Nguyen
Scouting report (9:15 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Patriots in Luca Evans' scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, Broncos reporter: Patriots 17, Broncos 16
It would be a tremendous story if Denver punches a ticket to Santa Clara with Jarrett Stidham at the helm. Itap not impossible, either. The Broncos are confident, even without quarterback Bo Nix. They don’t just think ‘Stiddy’ will play well, they will be really surprised if he doesn’t. They’ve got a deep roster, a talented defense and an offensive line that can control a game. New England has that, too, plus an MVP candidate at quarterback in Drake Maye.
Luca Evans, Broncos reporter: Patriots 17, Broncos 10
Going through the scouting report on New England truly reminds one how stacked the Patriots are as a group, and how many holes these Broncos have without Bo Nix’s late-game magic to help tie things up. Toss out all the light-schedule talk around the Pats; they’ve dispatched Los Angeles and Houston in timely fashion in these playoffs. This is just a brutal draw for Jarrett Stidham against his former team, and the magic runs out here.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 22, Patriots 20
Everything about Sunday suggests the Broncos will lose without Bo Nix. They are the largest home underdog in a conference championship game since the league merger. Jarrett Stidham hasn’t played in a postseason game since he led Auburn to a win over Purdue in the 2018 Music City Bowl. But Sean Payton is the best version of himself in these spots, and the Broncos defense will make Drake Maye miserable enough to pull off the upset.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 23, Patriots 20
We may not know what we’re going to get from Jarrett Stidham, but we know what we’re going to get from Drake Maye — and from this Broncos pass rush. The Pats’ offense line allowed a bottom-10-in-the-NFL sack rate during the regular season, and Maye sports a 39.60 passer rating when “pressured” this postseason. The defense will have to carry the load one more time. With feeling. Will Lutz with the winner late. Same as it ever was.
Nate Peterson, sports editor: Broncos 21, Patriots 17
The Patriots have gotten here by demolishing two lousy offensive lines to rattle Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud, but that won’t be the case Sunday. The Broncos’ O-line stands up for ‘Stiddy’ and the run game provides enough of a lift to shorten the game to pull off the unthinkable in front of a frothing home crowd. Sean Payton relishes nothing more than being counted out, and he told the world to “watch out” on Saturday after getting the crushing news about Bo Nix. Denver somehow, some way, gets it done.
Broncos-Patriots AFC Championship: Must-reads
How Jarrett Stidham’s self-belief has given Denver Broncos faith after Bo Nix’s injury
In Year 2 in Denver, Bo Nix and Sean Payton found synergy as the second-year quarterback praised Payton for letting him be his “authentic self.” These Broncos formed an identity around Nix, a fiery 25-year-old whose white-hot competitiveness fueled a season of second-half comebacks. They are now rallying around Stidham, a cool 29-year-old whose serenity masks his own fire.
Stidham has kept the same routine for three years in Denver, left tackle Garett Bolles said. He eats the same food. He drinks the same water. He hits the steam room at the same time. He listens to the same music, on a Turtlebox waterproof speaker that he affectionately refers to as “Mr. Turtle.”
Nothing has changed in this week of madness. Stidham is who he is because he knows who he is. That is comfort, as these Broncos head into a war. Read Luca Evans' story.
How Sean Payton programmed the Broncos to believe they can survive anything — even losing Bo Nix
Fellow quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger were in the training room with Nix while he was evaluated and the imaging was done. They each described the moments that followed as “devastating.”
Head coach Sean Payton, his team scattered to the wind, decided to announce the news to reporters right away Saturday night. He did so because he knew the injury wouldn’t stay quiet until a Monday morning team meeting, but in the process, he also seized an opportunity to set an immediate tone.
Part of that really is about belief in Stidham. Much of it, though, is because Denver is not scrambling this week trying to figure out how to approach life without Nix. Really, Payton and the Broncos front office have spent the past three years assembling a team and an operation built for this exact moment. Now comes the biggest stress test to date on the biggest stage yet. Read Parker Gabriel's story.
Renck: Stiddy will be ready against Patriots. Will Drake Maye against Broncos defense?
Stiddy will be ready. Will the Broncos defense?
The Drake Maye we saw during the regular season would absolutely beat Denver. The Drake Maybe we have seen during the postseason creates serious doubts outside of the greater New England area.
Once Jarrett Stidham moved into the starting lineup for an injured Bo Nix, the Broncos lost respect. New England fans, buoyed by six Super Bowl titles, see Denver as a speed bump, a layover from Boston en route to Santa Clara. They are laughing at the Broncos because they know Stidham. They had him. Read Troy Renck's column.
