Drake Maye, Mike Vrabel and a stifling defense have the New England Patriots back in the Super Bowl for the first time since Tom Brady and Bill Belichick won their sixth ring together seven years ago.

In some ways, it sparks memories of their first-ever Super Bowl championship team in 2001, which was led by the defense. Furthermore, in 2001, the Patriots' "Snow Bowl" win over the Raiders in the divisional round was epic and the second half of Sunday's win over the Broncos was played in similar extreme conditions.

The Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl after a close win in Denver. The post 12 takeaways as Patriots beat Broncos, punch ticket to Super Bowl LX appeared first on Boston.com.

Stidham hit wide receiver Courtland Sutton two plays later for a six-yard touchdown and an early lead over the Patriots. The extra point made it 7-0 with 10:19 off the clock. The Broncos picked up one yard while going three-and-out to open the game and Stidham threw incompletions on the first two plays of the second drive.

The New England Patriots are one win away from returning to the Super Bowl, but they must face the Denver Broncos, who will start Jarrett Stidham at quarterback, in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos will face off against the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game Sunday. Here is how to watch.

Denver took over near midfield after forcing the fifth Patriots punt of the first half with under a minute to play in the second quarter and picked up 17 yards on a pair of Jarrett Stidham passes to set up a 54-yard Wil Lutz field goal attempt.

The 2026 NFL playoffs are down to four teams as the 2026 AFC Championship Game and the 2026 NFC Championship Game are both set to unfold on Sunday. The Broncos will host the Patriots in the AFC title game at 3 p.