Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats: The Key Numbers Behind a Dramatic 10–7 Finish
Three points decided who would reach the Super Bowl. On 25 January 2026, the New England Patriots beat the Denver Broncos 10–7 in an AFC Championship Game that demanded patience, strong defending and a few timely moments of skill.
The Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats tell a more interesting story than the low score might suggest. Denver finished with more passing yards, while New England found its most valuable gains on the ground. As snow made conditions increasingly difficult, protecting the ball became just as important as moving it.
Drake Maye, Rhamondre Stevenson and Christian Gonzalez each played a different part in the victory. For Denver, Jarrett Stidham and Marvin Mims Jr. provided early promise, but the Broncos could not turn that start into enough points.
Match Overview: Denver Struck First, New England Finished Stronger
The setting was Empower Field at Mile High, with an AFC title and a Super Bowl appearance at stake. Denver had home advantage but faced a major change at quarterback.
Bo Nix was unavailable after suffering a broken right ankle during the divisional-round win over Buffalo. Jarrett Stidham stepped into the starting role, facing the pressure of leading Denver through its biggest game of the season.
The Broncos gave their supporters an encouraging opening. Stidham connected with Marvin Mims Jr. for a 52-yard gain, creating the opportunity for Denver’s first touchdown.
Courtland Sutton finished that possession with a six-yard touchdown reception. Denver led 7–0, and its defence was making life uncomfortable for Maye.
New England eventually found its response through a rushing touchdown from its quarterback. Maye’s six-yard run helped bring the score level at 7–7 before half-time.
The winning points arrived in the third quarter. Andres Borregales converted a 23-yard field goal, giving the Patriots a lead they protected until the final whistle.
For anyone studying the Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats, the scoring pattern matters. Neither side built a comfortable advantage, so every lost possession carried extra weight.
Quarterback Comparison: Maye Found Another Way to Make an Impact
This was a difficult afternoon for both passing attacks. The quarterbacks had limited space to work, faced regular pressure and struggled to produce consistent gains.
| Quarterback | Team | Completions/attempts | Passing yards | Passing touchdowns | Interceptions | Sacks taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Maye | Patriots | 10/21 | 86 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Jarrett Stidham | Broncos | 17/31 | 133 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Stidham led the passing comparison, completing seven more throws and finishing with 47 more yards than Maye. His touchdown pass also gave Denver the early advantage.
However, his afternoon included two damaging turnovers: a lost fumble and an interception. In a game decided by one field goal, those mistakes were especially costly.
Maye’s passing figures were modest. He completed fewer than half his attempts and was sacked five times, showing how effectively Denver disrupted New England’s passing game.
His running changed the picture. Maye gained 65 yards on 10 carries, scored the Patriots’ only touchdown and later ran for the first down that allowed New England to close out the contest.
That contribution explains why the quarterback battle cannot be judged through passing yards alone. Maye struggled through the air, but his mobility gave the Patriots a useful option when other routes forward were blocked.
Stidham added 23 rushing yards himself. Still, Denver needed another scoring drive, and its attack could not produce one after the first quarter.
Rushing Statistics: Stevenson’s Workload Helped New England Stay Patient
The strongest difference between the attacks came on the ground. New England rushed for 141 yards, while Denver finished with 79.
Neither team found running easy. The Patriots’ advantage came through a combination of repeated carries from Stevenson and more productive gains from Maye.
| Player | Team | Carries | Rushing yards | Average per carry | Rushing touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhamondre Stevenson | Patriots | 25 | 71 | 2.8 | 0 |
| Drake Maye | Patriots | 10 | 65 | 6.5 | 1 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | Patriots | 3 | 5 | 1.7 | 0 |
| RJ Harvey | Broncos | 13 | 37 | 2.8 | 0 |
| Jarrett Stidham | Broncos | 4 | 23 | 5.8 | 0 |
| Jaleel McLaughlin | Broncos | 4 | 11 | 2.8 | 0 |
Stevenson led all rushers with 71 yards, although Denver held him to 2.8 yards per attempt. His performance was about handling responsibility and gaining difficult yards rather than breaking away repeatedly.
Maye offered the greater threat of a longer run. His 28-yard gain was the longest rushing play of the match, and his 6.5-yard average gave New England valuable help.
Together, Stevenson and Maye accounted for 136 of the Patriots’ 141 rushing yards. That concentration shows how heavily the visitors relied on those two players.
RJ Harvey led Denver with 37 yards from 13 carries. Without a stronger rushing return, the Broncos had fewer ways to relieve the pressure on Stidham.
The Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats show that New England did enough on the ground to keep its attack functioning, even when passing became difficult.
Receiving Statistics: Mims and Hollins Supplied the Standout Gains
This match offered few chances for receivers to build impressive totals. The players who did create longer gains therefore had an important influence.
| Player | Team | Receptions | Receiving yards | Receiving touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvin Mims Jr. | Broncos | 4 | 62 | 0 |
| RJ Harvey | Broncos | 4 | 22 | 0 |
| Evan Engram | Broncos | 2 | 19 | 0 |
| Courtland Sutton | Broncos | 3 | 17 | 1 |
| Mack Hollins | Patriots | 2 | 51 | 0 |
| Stefon Diggs | Patriots | 5 | 17 | 0 |
| Hunter Henry | Patriots | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| Kayshon Boutte | Patriots | 1 | 6 | 0 |
Marvin Mims Jr. led the game with 62 receiving yards. His 52-yard catch supplied most of that total and helped create Denver’s only touchdown.
The distribution is revealing. Mims produced one major breakthrough, but the Broncos could not make long completions a regular feature of their attack.
Sutton’s figures tell a different story. He gained only 17 yards, yet his touchdown reception was Denver’s most important finishing play.
For New England, Mack Hollins gained 51 yards from two catches, including a 31-yard reception. His limited number of catches still produced more yardage than any other Patriots receiver.
Stefon Diggs caught five passes for 17 yards. That contrast shows why reception totals need context: catching more passes does not always mean creating more movement downfield.
The receiving statistics also underline the strength of both defences. Neither passing attack consistently found the space needed to take control.
Defence, Turnovers and Kicking Decided the Result
The Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats make the most sense when viewed alongside the defensive plays.
Denver recorded five sacks, with D.J. Jones contributing 1.5. The pressure kept Maye’s passing output low and ensured that the Broncos remained within reach.
New England responded with three sacks and, crucially, two takeaways. Its first major opportunity came when pressure from Christian Elliss led to Stidham losing the ball.
Elijah Ponder recovered, giving the Patriots possession at Denver’s 12-yard line. New England took advantage, with Maye scoring shortly afterwards.
Special teams then helped protect the narrow lead. Leonard Taylor blocked a Wil Lutz field-goal attempt, denying Denver an opportunity to draw level.
The Broncos still had another chance late in the game. That ended when Christian Gonzalez intercepted Stidham with 2:11 remaining.
Maye then gained the first down New England needed to run down the remaining time.
The overall team figures reflect how closely the match was contested. The Patriots gained 206 net yards, compared with Denver’s 181, and held possession for 33 minutes and nine seconds.
There was no overwhelming attacking performance. New England created one more scoring opportunity, avoided turnovers and delivered the stops needed to preserve its advantage.
Conclusion
The Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats capture a contest shaped by pressure, difficult conditions and costly mistakes. Denver had the stronger passing total, but New England gained more on the ground and won the turnover battle.
Stevenson carried the workload, Maye supplied vital runs and the Patriots’ defence protected every point. In a championship game with almost no room for error, those contributions turned a narrow lead into a Super Bowl place.
(FAQs)
Who won the AFC Championship Game between the Broncos and Patriots?
The New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos 10–7 on 25 January 2026, securing a place in Super Bowl LX.
What do the Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats reveal about Drake Maye?
Maye threw for 86 yards and ran for 65 yards and a touchdown. His running supplied an important part of New England’s attack.
Why did Jarrett Stidham start instead of Bo Nix?
Bo Nix had suffered a season-ending broken right ankle during Denver’s previous playoff game against Buffalo.
Which players led the rushing and receiving statistics?
Rhamondre Stevenson led the rushing standings with 71 yards. Marvin Mims Jr. finished first in receiving with 62 yards.
Which plays helped New England protect its lead?
Leonard Taylor’s blocked field goal and Christian Gonzalez’s late interception stopped Denver scoring opportunities. Maye’s final first-down run then helped end the game.
