Patriots Clinch First Super Bowl Berth In Seven Years
By Jason Hall
January 25, 2026
The New England Patriots have clinched their first Super Bowl appearance since the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era.
The Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos, 10-7, in the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday (January 25). Quarterback Drake Maye threw for 86 yards on 10-21 passing, while recording 68 yards and a touchdown on seven rushing attempts. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson led New England with 70 yards on 24 carries.
New England answered an early 7-0 deficit with Maye's 6-yard touchdown rush in the second quarter. Andy Borregales made a 23-yard field goal to move ahead in the third quarter, while the Patriots held the Broncos, led by backup Jarrett Stidham in the absence of injured starter Bo Nix, scoreless in the second half.
The Patriots will face the winner of the NFC Championship Game between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks Sunday night with the chance to take sole possession of the most Super Bowl victories by an NFL franchise in history, entering tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers at six. The Patriots won all six championships during the Brady-Belichick era, with head coach Mike Vrabel, who took over this past offseason, playing linebacker as a member of the first three Super Bowl teams.