It wasn’t fairly, however the New England Patriots are headed to Tremendous Bowl LX after beating the Denver Broncos, 10-7, within the AFC Championship Sport.
The Patriots offense struggled in opposition to a top-rated Denver Broncos protection. However New England’s personal protection held backup Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham in verify, and withstood depressing climate circumstances to win.
Denver had an opportunity to tie the sport on a 46-yard subject with 4:42 to play. However Will Lutz’s kick missed.
With 2:11 left, cornerback Christian Gonzalez intercepted Stidham to assist put the staff in place to bleed out the clock.
Patriots headed to Tremendous Bowl LX
On the following third down with simply over one minute to play, quarterback Drake Maye scrambled for a crucial first down that allowed the Patriots to get into victory formation and end the win.
“That is the wonderful thing about Drake. The power to increase performs and if it isn’t there, acquire chunks. He is completed that many of the 12 months,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned after the sport.
New England will play both the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks within the Tremendous Bowl.
“Gamers executed once they needed to. I do know there’s going to be quite a lot of questions on this, that the opposite factor. We did sufficient to win the soccer sport in powerful circumstances,” Vrabel mentioned.
Maye was requested concerning the staff’s previous playoff report as New England had by no means overwhelmed the Broncos in 4 postseason sport.
“It is a new staff, it is a new period. I respect and recognize what the Patriots dynasty did. Sadly they did not come out with any wins right here. We modified that narrative. Sit up for bringing our greatest soccer for Santa Clara,” Maye mentioned.
New England beats Denver Broncos
The Patriots had a prolonged drive to begin the second half, however solely obtained three factors. After taking 9:31 off the clock within the third quarter, the Patriots had been stopped on third down and needed to accept a chip shot Andy Borregales subject aim to take the 10-7 lead with 5:29 to go within the body.
With 11 seconds left within the third quarter and a driving snow, Borregales missed a 46-yard subject aim broad proper, leaving the rating 10-7. It stayed there heading into the ultimate quarter and for the remainder of the sport.
Stidham got here out scorching to begin the sport. He was 4 for 8 within the opening quarter, together with a shocking 52-yard bomb to Marvin Mims to arrange a 6-yard landing to Courtland Sutton lower than 5 minutes into the sport.
With Denver holding the 7-0 lead, the New England offense sputtered all through the primary half.
New England caught a large break with 2:59 to play earlier than halftime. Stidham felt the stress and whereas attempting to flee it, misplaced the ball. The Patriots recovered the ball and got possession on the Denver 12-yard-line.
Maye cashed in two performs later, taking a quarterback attract for a 6-yard landing to tie the sport at 7-7.
Will Lutz missed a 54-yard subject aim simply earlier than halftime, then Borregales missed a desperation 63-yard kick of his personal as time expired. That despatched the groups into the locker room tied at 7-7.
Tremendous Bowl LX takes place Sunday, February 8, in Santa Clara, Calif.
