Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats
The denver broncos vs new england patriots match player stats from the January 25, 2026 AFC Championship Game tell the story of a defensive battle where field position, quarterback mobility, pressure, and ball security mattered more than passing volume. New England defeated Denver 10-7 at Empower Field at Mile High, overcoming a difficult passing environment and a strong Broncos defense to reach Super Bowl LX. Drake Maye completed 10 of 21 passes for 86 yards, but his 65 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown became the defining offensive contribution. Jarrett Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while Denver’s defense recorded five sacks of Maye. The official NFL game coverage also highlighted how snowy conditions and late defensive pressure changed the game.
Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats
The final score was only 10-7, but the individual numbers reveal a game with several distinct phases.
Denver started quickly and scored the only touchdown of the first quarter. New England responded in the second quarter through Maye’s rushing ability, then added a field goal in the third quarter. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
| Category | New England Patriots | Denver Broncos |
| Final Score | 10 | 7 |
| Passing | Drake Maye: 10/21, 86 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT | Jarrett Stidham: 17/31, 133 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Leading Rusher | Rhamondre Stevenson: 25 carries, 71 yards | RJ Harvey: 13 carries, 37 yards |
| QB Rushing | Drake Maye: 10 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD | Included in Denver rushing production |
| Leading Receiver | Mack Hollins: 2 receptions, 51 yards | Marvin Mims Jr.: 4 receptions, 62 yards |
| Receiving TD | None | Courtland Sutton: 1 |
| Team Sacks | 3 | 5 |
| Interceptions | Christian Gonzalez: 1 | None |
| Total Tackles | 59 | 77 |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 | 1 |
| Field Goals | 1/3 | 0/2 |
| Extra Points | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| Punts | 8 for 303 yards | 6 for 309 yards |
The unusual part of the box score is that neither quarterback produced a conventional high-efficiency passing performance. Maye’s 86 passing yards were low for a championship game, while Stidham’s 133 yards came with an interception and a lost fumble. The difference was how each quarterback contributed when the passing game became increasingly difficult.
Game Overview: Patriots 10, Broncos 7
The matchup took place on January 25, 2026, with New England entering the AFC Championship Game at 14-3 and Denver also carrying a 14-3 record. New England was 8-0 away from home, while Denver was 8-1 at home.
The game immediately developed into a contrast between Denver’s early offensive success and New England’s ability to adjust.
Denver scored first in the opening quarter. Stidham connected with Courtland Sutton for a six-yard touchdown, giving the Broncos a 7-0 lead.
New England struggled to generate passing production early. Maye was pressured repeatedly and was eventually sacked five times. Yet the Patriots stayed within striking distance because their quarterback could create yardage outside the traditional passing structure.
Maye’s six-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter tied the game at 7-7.
The third quarter produced the decisive scoring play. New England added three points to take a 10-7 lead.
From that point forward, neither offense found the end zone.
The fourth quarter therefore became a test of defensive execution. Denver had opportunities to tie the game, but New England prevented the Broncos from converting those opportunities into points.
That is why looking only at total passing yards gives an incomplete picture of this contest.
Drake Maye’s Passing Numbers
Drake Maye finished with:
- 10 completions
- 21 attempts
- 86 passing yards
- 0 passing touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 5 sacks
- 58.8 passer rating
- 62.5 QBR according to the ESPN box score
On paper, those numbers look modest.
In context, however, Maye’s performance was much more complicated.
Denver’s defense created consistent pressure and made it difficult for New England to establish a normal passing rhythm. Maye took five sacks, and his passing yardage remained at only 86 yards.
The Patriots did not win because Maye dominated through the air.
They won because he avoided the turnover that could have changed the game and repeatedly used his legs to produce the plays New England needed.
That distinction is one of the most important lessons from the denver broncos vs new england patriots match player stats.
A quarterback’s value cannot always be measured by passing yardage alone. In a game affected by weather, pressure, and defensive coverage, the ability to extend plays and gain first downs with designed runs or scrambles can become just as important.
Drake Maye’s Rushing Performance Was the Difference
Maye rushed 10 times for 65 yards and one touchdown.
His average was 6.5 yards per carry.
More importantly, several of those runs produced significant changes in field position.
According to NFL game analysis, Maye had runs of 28, 16, and 13 yards, making his rushing production far more explosive than the traditional running game.
His 28-yard run was particularly important because it helped New England move into position for the field goal that gave the Patriots the lead.
His six-yard rushing touchdown tied the game in the second quarter.
Late in the fourth quarter, Maye also converted a critical third-down situation with his legs. His seven-yard run helped New England maintain possession and reduce Denver’s remaining opportunity to respond.
This is a classic example of why quarterback rushing statistics need to be considered alongside passing statistics.
Maye’s passing line was not impressive in isolation. His total offensive contribution was much more significant.
Maye’s Key Numbers
| Statistic | Drake Maye |
| Pass Completions | 10 |
| Pass Attempts | 21 |
| Passing Yards | 86 |
| Passing TDs | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Sacks | 5 |
| Rushing Attempts | 10 |
| Rushing Yards | 65 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
| Rushing Average | 6.5 |
The most important number may therefore be his combined 151 passing and rushing yards.
Even that total does not fully capture his impact because the timing of his rushing production mattered more than the raw yardage.
Rhamondre Stevenson Led New England’s Traditional Rushing Attack
Rhamondre Stevenson carried the ball 25 times for 71 yards.
His average was 2.8 yards per carry, and he did not score a touchdown.
Those numbers show just how difficult it was for New England’s conventional running game to consistently create explosive plays.
Stevenson’s role was still important.
When a team is playing in poor conditions and its quarterback is facing heavy pressure, the running back often becomes central to maintaining offensive balance. Even when the average gain is modest, repeated carries can force the defense to respect the run and create opportunities for quarterback movement.
Stevenson also helped New England control possession and avoid becoming completely one-dimensional.
The Patriots finished with 141 rushing yards as a team, with Maye’s 65 yards accounting for a large portion of that production.
That is a major analytical point.
New England’s rushing success was not simply a story about the running backs. The quarterback became an important part of the rushing equation.
Denver Broncos Quarterback Jarrett Stidham
Jarrett Stidham entered an extremely difficult situation.
He was replacing Bo Nix after Nix’s injury and was making his first start in roughly two years.
Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
His completion rate was approximately 54.8 percent.
His passing average was 4.3 yards per attempt.
The numbers show that Denver’s offense was able to move the football at times, but it could not maintain enough consistency to turn possessions into points.
Stidham’s touchdown pass to Sutton provided Denver’s only touchdown of the game.
The problem came later.
As New England increased pressure, Stidham’s efficiency dropped. His interception late in the game eliminated one of Denver’s final chances to mount a tying drive.
He also lost a fumble in the second quarter. That mistake was especially costly because New England turned the resulting opportunity into points.
This is where the denver broncos vs new england patriots match player stats become more revealing than the final score.
Denver actually had a quarterback who threw for more yards than Maye. Yet New England’s quarterback produced the only rushing touchdown, avoided turnovers, and made the critical late-game plays.
Jarrett Stidham’s Turnovers Changed the Game
Stidham’s stat line included one interception and one lost fumble.
That gave New England two important turnover opportunities.
The fumble was particularly damaging because it came after the Patriots had struggled to move the ball early. Instead of needing to manufacture a long scoring drive, New England received an opportunity with favorable field position.
The Patriots converted that opportunity into a touchdown.
Later, Stidham’s interception came at a critical point when Denver needed another possession.
This illustrates an important football principle: turnovers are not equal simply because the box score lists them as one event.
Timing matters.
A turnover deep in your own territory can be much more damaging than one near midfield. A late interception when trailing by three points can effectively end a comeback attempt.
Denver’s two turnovers therefore carried significant weight in a seven-point game.
Marvin Mims Jr. Was Denver’s Most Productive Receiver
Marvin Mims Jr. led Denver’s receiving production with four receptions for 62 yards.
His average was 15.5 yards per reception.
He also contributed as a punt returner, recording three returns for eight yards.
Mims provided one of Denver’s most important explosive plays when he produced a 52-yard reception.
That play helped create the field position needed for Denver’s first-quarter touchdown.
His performance is a good example of how a player can have a major influence without scoring a touchdown.
Mims did not find the end zone, but his big reception changed the field position battle and helped Denver establish its early advantage.
For Denver’s offense, explosive plays were difficult to find consistently. That made Mims’ contribution even more valuable.
Courtland Sutton Scored Denver’s Only Touchdown
Courtland Sutton finished with three receptions for 17 yards and one touchdown.
His touchdown came on a six-yard reception from Stidham.
That score gave Denver its only lead of the afternoon.
Sutton’s final receiving total was not large, but his touchdown represented seven of Denver’s seven points.
This is another reason not to evaluate receiving performances strictly by yardage.
A receiver with 17 yards can have a greater scoring impact than another player who records several catches for a larger total.
In this game, Sutton’s production was concentrated into the most important type of receiving result: a touchdown.
Mack Hollins Provided New England’s Biggest Receiving Plays
Mack Hollins caught two passes for 51 yards.
His average of 25.5 yards per reception was the highest among New England’s leading receivers.
Although he had only two receptions, Hollins generated important chunk plays.
His production became especially useful because New England’s passing attack struggled to consistently move the ball underneath.
A couple of explosive receptions can change the structure of a defensive game plan.
They force defenders to respect the possibility of a deep completion, which can create additional space for runs and short passes.
Hollins’ two receptions therefore had more significance than the raw catch total might suggest.
Rhamondre Stevenson vs. RJ Harvey
The two leading traditional rushers had very similar yards-per-carry averages.
Stevenson:
- 25 carries
- 71 yards
- 2.8 yards per carry
- 0 touchdowns
RJ Harvey:
- 13 carries
- 37 yards
- 2.8 yards per carry
- 0 touchdowns
The similarity is interesting.
Neither running back consistently produced explosive rushing numbers.
The difference was volume.
Stevenson received nearly twice as many carries as Harvey. That gave New England a more persistent traditional ground-game presence.
However, Maye’s 65 rushing yards changed the overall rushing comparison.
New England’s quarterback added explosive rushing plays that neither team’s primary running back consistently provided.
Defensive Player Stats and Pressure
The defensive numbers are among the most important parts of the game.
New England recorded three sacks.
Denver recorded five.
That means Denver technically generated more quarterback takedowns, yet New England’s defense still produced the more decisive late-game sequence.
New England also recorded an interception through Christian Gonzalez.
Denver did not intercept Maye.
The Patriots finished with 59 total tackles, while Denver recorded 77.
The tackle advantage for Denver reflects the amount of defensive work required throughout the game, but tackles alone do not explain defensive effectiveness.
The more important factors were pressure, turnovers, third-down stops, and preventing Denver from converting opportunities into points.
NFL’s postgame analysis noted that New England limited Denver to only 32 yards across five second-half possessions and generated significant pressure against Stidham. That defensive adjustment was central to the outcome.
Christian Gonzalez’s Interception
Christian Gonzalez recorded New England’s only interception.
The timing was crucial.
Denver needed to create a late scoring opportunity, but the interception ended the possession and allowed the Patriots to focus on protecting their three-point lead.
In a game where both offenses struggled to score, a late interception becomes extremely valuable.
It removes not only a possession but also the opponent’s chance to control the final sequence.
Gonzalez’s interception therefore deserves to be included among the most consequential defensive statistics from the matchup.
The Sack Battle Tells an Interesting Story
Denver recorded five sacks against Maye.
New England recorded three sacks against Stidham.
At first glance, that suggests Denver won the pass-rush battle.
But the game outcome demonstrates why sacks must be evaluated in context.
Maye was able to compensate for the pressure by producing rushing yardage.
Stidham’s pressure situations eventually contributed to mistakes.
NFL’s postgame breakdown noted that New England’s defense limited Stidham to one completion on 10 attempts under pressure.
That is a major indicator of how the Patriots changed the game after halftime.
Denver pressured Maye successfully, but New England’s defense made Stidham’s pressured opportunities even less productive.
Special Teams Played a Major Role
The special-teams numbers were not spectacular across the board, but several details mattered.
New England’s kicker, Andy Borregales, finished 1-for-3 on field-goal attempts and converted his only extra-point attempt.
Denver’s Wil Lutz finished 0-for-2 on field goals and made his only extra point.
Those missed kicks are significant in a game decided by three points.
Denver had an opportunity to tie the game with a field goal late, but the attempt was blocked by New England.
That play became one of the defining moments of the championship game.
The Patriots did not need to score another touchdown after taking the lead. Their special teams and defense simply had to prevent Denver from converting its final opportunities.
Punting Comparison
New England punter Bryce Baringer recorded:
- 8 punts
- 303 yards
- 37.9-yard average
- 45-yard long
Denver punter Jeremy Crawshaw recorded:
- 6 punts
- 309 yards
- 51.5-yard average
- 60-yard long
Crawshaw’s raw punting average was substantially higher.
That is another reminder that the team with the stronger individual statistic does not automatically win the game.
Denver’s punting helped generate field position, but the Broncos still could not convert enough possessions into points.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
| Quarter | Patriots | Broncos |
| First | 0 | 7 |
| Second | 7 | 0 |
| Third | 3 | 0 |
| Fourth | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 7 |
First Quarter
Denver came out with the stronger offensive start.
Stidham connected with Sutton for a six-yard touchdown, giving the Broncos a 7-0 lead.
The Patriots struggled to generate early passing production.
Second Quarter
New England responded through Maye.
His six-yard rushing touchdown tied the game at 7-7.
The Patriots did not need a long passing drive to score. Instead, Maye’s mobility became the central offensive weapon.
Third Quarter
New England took the lead with a field goal.
The score moved to 10-7.
From there, the game became increasingly defensive.
Fourth Quarter
Neither team scored.
Denver’s offense could not generate the necessary late drive, while New England used its defense and Maye’s mobility to protect the lead.
What the Team Stats Say About the Game
The individual numbers become more meaningful when viewed as a complete system.
New England did not dominate offensively.
The Patriots did not throw for 300 yards.
They did not produce a high-scoring running attack.
They did not convert every field-goal opportunity.
Instead, they made enough winning plays in the areas that mattered most.
Those areas included:
- Avoiding offensive turnovers after the second quarter.
- Using Maye’s mobility to create first downs.
- Generating late defensive pressure.
- Creating a takeaway.
- Blocking a critical Denver field goal.
- Preventing Denver from scoring in the second half.
Denver, meanwhile, had several positive statistical elements.
The Broncos recorded more sacks.
Mims produced a 52-yard reception.
Stidham threw for more yards than Maye.
Denver recorded more total tackles.
Yet those advantages did not translate into enough points.
That is the central lesson from the denver broncos vs new england patriots match player stats.
Why Maye’s Legs Mattered More Than His Passing Numbers
Quarterback evaluation often focuses heavily on completion percentage, passing yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.
Those metrics remain useful.
But this game demonstrates why modern quarterback analysis must also account for rushing value.
Maye’s 65 rushing yards were not accumulated through meaningless late-game carries.
His runs repeatedly influenced possession and field position.
His touchdown tied the game.
His 28-yard run helped establish the position for New England’s go-ahead field goal.
His late seven-yard run helped New England preserve the lead.
That is a sequence of high-leverage plays.
A quarterback can finish with 86 passing yards and still be the most influential offensive player on the field.
That is exactly what happened here.
Why Denver’s Passing Advantage Did Not Matter
Stidham finished with 133 passing yards compared with Maye’s 86.
Denver therefore had a 47-yard advantage through the air.
Yet Denver scored seven points.
This is an important distinction between statistical volume and meaningful production.
Stidham’s passing total was helped by Denver’s early success, including the 52-yard completion to Mims.
Once New England adjusted, however, Denver struggled to create consistent passing opportunities.
The Broncos also lost a fumble and threw an interception.
Those turnovers reduced the value of the additional passing yardage.
In a close playoff game, possession quality is often more important than raw yardage.
The Impact of Weather and Game Conditions
The conditions cannot be ignored when evaluating these numbers.
The game developed into a snowy, difficult environment that made passing increasingly challenging.
That context helps explain why both quarterbacks posted low passing totals.
It also explains why Maye’s rushing ability became increasingly valuable.
Snow can affect footing, ball handling, route precision, and throwing conditions. Defensive players can also benefit when offensive timing becomes harder to maintain.
New England adapted by leaning more heavily on Maye’s legs and its defense.
Denver could not find a similar late-game adjustment that produced points.
This is why comparing the quarterbacks purely through passing statistics would miss a major part of the story.
Key Players at a Glance
New England Patriots
Drake Maye: 10/21 passing, 86 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; 10 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD.
Rhamondre Stevenson: 25 carries, 71 yards.
Mack Hollins: 2 receptions, 51 yards.
Christian Gonzalez: 1 interception.
Andy Borregales: 1/3 field goals, 1/1 extra points.
Bryce Baringer: 8 punts for 303 yards.
Denver Broncos
Jarrett Stidham: 17/31 passing, 133 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
RJ Harvey: 13 carries, 37 yards.
Marvin Mims Jr.: 4 receptions, 62 yards; 3 punt returns for 8 yards.
Courtland Sutton: 3 receptions, 17 yards, 1 TD.
Wil Lutz: 0/2 field goals, 1/1 extra points.
Jeremy Crawshaw: 6 punts for 309 yards.
Most Important Statistical Takeaways
The biggest lessons from this game can be summarized through a few numbers.
1. Maye’s 65 rushing yards
His rushing production was arguably more valuable than his passing production.
2. Denver’s two turnovers
One lost fumble and one interception gave New England opportunities that the Broncos could not recover from.
3. Five Denver sacks
Denver’s pass rush consistently pressured Maye, but New England found other ways to move the football.
4. Three New England sacks
The Patriots did not need as many sacks to affect the game because their pressure helped limit Stidham’s efficiency.
5. One blocked field goal
The blocked kick prevented Denver from potentially tying the game late.
6. 52-yard reception by Mims
It was one of Denver’s biggest offensive plays and helped create the opening touchdown.
7. Seven total points for Denver
Despite several positive individual statistics, the Broncos could not turn yardage into enough scoring.
What Fantasy and Player Analysis Readers Can Learn
For readers studying player performance, this matchup provides an excellent example of why fantasy-style box-score analysis and game-impact analysis are not always identical.
A fantasy-focused reader might look at Maye’s 86 passing yards and conclude that he had a poor offensive performance.
That conclusion would overlook his 65 rushing yards and rushing touchdown.
A receiver-focused reader might see Sutton’s 17 yards and consider his performance modest.
That would ignore the fact that his six-yard touchdown accounted for Denver’s only score.
Mims’ 62 receiving yards were valuable because much of that production came through an explosive 52-yard gain.
The same principle applies to defensive statistics.
A sack total does not necessarily identify the player or unit that had the biggest effect on the game.
Situational impact matters.
FAQ
Who led the Patriots in passing against the Broncos?
Drake Maye led New England with 10 completions on 21 attempts for 86 yards, with no passing touchdowns and no interceptions.
How many rushing yards did Drake Maye have?
Drake Maye rushed 10 times for 65 yards and scored New England’s only touchdown.
Who led Denver in passing?
Jarrett Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Who was Denver’s leading receiver?
Marvin Mims Jr. led Denver with four receptions for 62 yards.
Who scored Denver’s only touchdown?
Courtland Sutton scored Denver’s only touchdown on a six-yard reception from Jarrett Stidham.
What was the final score of the AFC Championship Game?
The New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos 10-7.
Conclusion
The denver broncos vs new england patriots match player stats show a championship game decided by execution rather than offensive volume.
New England’s passing attack struggled, but Drake Maye compensated with 65 rushing yards and a touchdown. Rhamondre Stevenson supplied 71 rushing yards, while Mack Hollins created explosive receiving plays. Christian Gonzalez added an interception, and the Patriots defense kept Denver scoreless during the second half.
Denver had several productive individual performances. Jarrett Stidham passed for 133 yards and a touchdown, Marvin Mims Jr. produced 62 receiving yards, and Courtland Sutton caught the Broncos’ only touchdown. Denver also recorded five sacks.
But turnovers, missed scoring opportunities, late defensive pressure, and Maye’s rushing ability ultimately separated the teams.
The 10-7 result was therefore not a game dominated by conventional offensive statistics. It was a game where individual plays carried enormous weight. Maye’s rushing production, New England’s defensive adjustment, Gonzalez’s interception, and the blocked field goal all became more important because the margin was only three points.
For anyone studying the denver broncos vs new england patriots match player stats, the clearest takeaway is that context matters. Passing yards, rushing attempts, receptions, tackles, sacks, and turnovers all tell part of the story. The real understanding comes from examining when those statistics happened and how they changed the game.
