The most recent matchup between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos was the AFC Championship Game on January 25, 2026, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. In a low-scoring, snowy defensive battle, the Patriots defeated the Broncos 10-7, advancing to Super Bowl LX. This was a gritty, weather-impacted contest where rushing and defense dominated, with limited passing success due to blizzard conditions.
This article recaps key player stats, standout performances, team comparisons, and fantasy takeaways from that game — based on official box scores, play-by-play data, and reports from ESPN, CBS Sports, Patriots.com, and PFF (as of February 2026). Note: This was a playoff game, not the regular-season Week 9 matchup (which had different results in prior seasons).
(Photo of snowy Empower Field during the 2026 AFC Championship — Patriots in white jerseys battling through the blizzard.)
New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos: 2025–2026 Game Summary & Result
The game was a defensive slugfest in heavy snow. Denver scored first on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Jarrett Stidham to Courtland Sutton in the opening quarter. New England tied it in the second with a 6-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Drake Maye. Andy Borregales added a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter for the winning margin. No points were scored in the fourth, with Maye’s late 7-yard scramble on third down sealing the victory. Total yards were low (Patriots 204, Broncos 179), and turnovers were minimal.
Top Performers: Who Led the Broncos in the Win? (Wait — Loss)
Denver Broncos standout players (despite the loss):
- Jarrett Stidham (QB): 17/31 passing, 133 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Efficient in the snow but limited by weather and pressure.
- Courtland Sutton (WR): 6 receptions, key TD catch (6 yards).
- Rhamondre Stevenson (RB — wait, no: Broncos’ R. Harvey): Limited rushing impact due to conditions.
- Defense held strong early but couldn’t stop Maye’s legs late.
The Broncos’ offense struggled overall in the blizzard, with only 179 total yards.
Best Patriots Performers in the Winning Effort
New England Patriots top contributors:
- Drake Maye (QB): 10/21 passing for 86 yards (0 TD/0 INT), but 10 rushes for 65 yards and 1 TD (6-yard keeper). His mobility was the difference-maker.
- Rhamondre Stevenson (RB): 25 carries for 71 yards — strong ground game in tough conditions.
- Defense: Held Broncos to 179 yards and forced key stops in the fourth quarter.
Maye’s dual-threat performance earned him praise as the game’s MVP in a snowy classic.
Quarterback Battle: Bo Nix vs Drake Maye Stats Head-to-Head
Note: Bo Nix did not play (Jarrett Stidham started for Denver due to injury/rotation). Direct comparison isn’t possible, but here’s the QB stats from this game:
- Drake Maye (Patriots):Maye struggled through the air, throwing for just 86 yards and completing fewer than half of his passes, ending with a 58.8 QB rating and no touchdowns or interceptions. However, he added value as a runner with 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
- Jarrett Stidham (Broncos): 17/31 (54.8%), 133 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
Maye’s rushing ability proved decisive in the low-passing, weather-affected game.
Rushing Leaders – Broncos vs Patriots
Patriots rushing attack dominated:
- Rhamondre Stevenson: 25 carries, 71 yards (2.8 avg), 0 TD.
- Drake Maye: 10 carries, 65 yards (6.5 avg), 1 TD.
- TreVeyon Henderson: 3 carries, 5 yards.
Broncos rushing:
- Limited overall due to snow — R. Harvey and others combined for low yardage (exact splits show minimal impact).
Patriots controlled the clock with 33:09 time of possession vs. Broncos’ 26:51.
Receiving Breakdown: Who Caught the Most Balls?
Broncos receiving leaders:
- Courtland Sutton: Multiple catches including 6-yard TD.
- Marvin Mims Jr.: 62 yards on 4 receptions (per some reports).
Patriots receiving:
- Hunter Henry: Key 9-yard gain on third down late.
- Limited passing volume — only 86 yards total.
Both teams relied on the run and short passes in the blizzard.
Defensive Standouts: Sacks, Tackles, Interceptions & Forced Fumbles
Defense ruled this game:
- Both teams combined for low yards and few big plays.
- Patriots defense forced a crucial stop in the fourth.
- Broncos had early pressure but couldn’t capitalize late.
- No major sacks or turnovers highlighted — game was won on field position and clock management.
Special Teams & Kicking Stats That Mattered
- Andy Borregales (Patriots K): 23-yard FG in the third — the winning points.
- Punts and kickoffs were affected by snow, with field position key.
- No missed kicks or major returns — special teams were steady.
Fantasy Football Takeaways from This Matchup
- Drake Maye was a dual-threat hero — rushing stats boosted his fantasy day despite low passing.
- Rhamondre Stevenson was a volume RB in tough conditions — solid floor.
- Broncos passing options (Sutton) had limited upside in snow.
- Defense/special teams from both sides would have been strong fantasy plays.
Low-scoring games like this favor ground-game players and defenses.
Key Stats Comparison Table – Patriots vs Broncos
| Stat | Patriots | Broncos |
| Total Yards | 204 | 179 |
| Passing Yards | 86 | 133 |
| Rushing Yards | ~141 | ~46 |
| Time of Possession | 33:09 | 26:51 |
| First Downs | (not detailed) | (not detailed) |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Sacks Allowed | 5 | (lower) |
Patriots won the ground battle and time of possession.
Historical Head-to-Head Record (Patriots vs Broncos)
All-time series is competitive, with notable Brady-Manning era games. Recent playoff win for Patriots in 2026 adds to New England’s edge in big moments.
How Did the Game Change After the First Half?
First half tied 7-7; second half saw only a field goal. Momentum shifted with Maye’s rushing in the third, and Patriots’ defense stiffened in the fourth.
Injury Impact: Who Was Missing or Limited?
Weather and physicality limited many — no major pre-game injuries reported as decisive, but snow affected passing and footing for all.
Player Grades & PFF Highlights from the Game
PFF noted Maye’s high grade for scrambling and game management in poor conditions. Defensive lines from both teams earned praise for holding offenses in check.
Quick Stat Recap: Patriots vs Broncos 2026 Matchup
- Final: Patriots 10-7 Broncos
- Maye: 10/21 pass, 86 yds; 10 rush, 65 yds, 1 TD
- Stevenson: 25 rush, 71 yds
- Stidham: 17/31 pass, 133 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Sutton: TD catch
- Borregales: Game-winning FG
