Empower Field (Denver) — The New England Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl after a 10-7 defensive slugfest against the Denver Broncos on a snow-swept Sunday, with quarterback Drake Maye outdueling backup Jarrett Stidham in one of the lowest-scoring playoff games in NFL history.

The teams deadlocked at 7-7 at halftime before heavy snow blanketed the field in the second half, choking off both offenses. The Patriots' defense proved suffocating from the opening snap, and a 23-yard field goal late in the third quarter proved decisive. Only two other conference championship games have finished with fewer combined points.

Patriots' Defense Sends Them to the Super Bowl

New England's defense was relentless, smothering the Broncos' offense despite Stidham's early flash. The Patriots forced a critical turnover when they compelled Stidham into a backward pass that set up a 12-yard touchdown drive, breaking the tie.

The fourth quarter was sealed when cornerback Christian Gonzalez picked off a deep Stidham pass with 2:11 remaining—the exclamation point on a defensive masterclass.

The Patriots had been 0-4 in Denver in the playoffs before Sunday, but the blizzard conditions appeared to suit them. The weather transformed from a cold but sunny first half into a genuine whiteout.

The statistical reality underscores the defensive dominance: New England finished with just 206 total yards—barely above the NFL's historical benchmark. Teams with fewer than 195 yards in conference championship games are 0-17 all time. The Patriots' yardage total ranks among the lowest ever in a conference championship victory, surpassed only by the 1967 Packers (195 yards) and 1983 Dolphins (198 yards).

Denver's Fourth-Down Gamble Backfires

The Broncos' decision-making proved costly. Facing fourth-and-1 at the Patriots' 14-yard line in the second quarter, Denver went for it with their backup quarterback against one of the league's best defenses—and failed.

A field goal would have given them a 10-0 lead. Instead, Stidham's subsequent turnover set up New England's tying touchdown. In a game where points would become scarce, Denver squandered an opportunity to accumulate what might have been an insurmountable lead.

The math was simple: New England had the NFL's No. 2 fourth-down defense in the regular season, holding opponents to 33% conversions. Denver ranked 22nd in fourth-down offense, converting just 50% of the time. The risk-reward calculation favored taking the field goal.

Patriots' Creative Short-Yardage Package

On fourth-and-1 at Denver's 8-yard line late in the third quarter, the Patriots deployed a memorable jumbo package: two tight ends and two eligible fullbacks—defensive tackles Khyiris Tonga (335 pounds) and Milton Williams (290 pounds) lined up as lead blockers.

Maye barely squeezed out the half-yard needed to move the chains, though Denver challenged and lost. The Broncos held firm in goal-to-go, limiting the Patriots to an Andy Borregales field goal. It was Williams' first offensive snap of the season, though Tonga is a regular in such packages with 14 offensive snaps this year.

Stidham's Brief Moment in the Spotlight

When Stidham uncorked a 52-yard bomb on Denver's second drive for his first completion of 2025 and followed with a touchdown pass for the lead, it seemed possible the career backup might author an improbable postseason story.

This was only his fifth career start. Thrust into the role after Bo Nix suffered a fractured ankle in last week's divisional-round victory, Stidham had played just four snaps all season. A full week of practice offered hope he could do enough for Denver's defense to prevail.

Broncos fans embraced their temporary star—No. 8 jerseys filled the stands, and homemade signs reading "Giddy up, Stiddy up" showed the desperation and optimism. Now he returns to anonymity on the bench.