The latest completed Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots match player stats tell the story of a defensive struggle: New England won 10–7 in the AFC Championship Game on January 25, 2026, at Empower Field at Mile High. Drake Maye threw for only 86 yards, but his 65 rushing yards and touchdown helped the Patriots overcome Denver and advance to Super Bowl LX.
This breakdown covers that single game, which belonged to the 2025 NFL season’s playoffs. A separate section below assesses the next scheduled meeting and offers an early prediction.
Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots Player Stats
Game: AFC Championship, January 25, 2026
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver
Final score: New England Patriots 10, Denver Broncos 7
| Player | Team | Passing | Rushing | Receiving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Maye | Patriots | 10/21, 86 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT | 10 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD | — |
| Jarrett Stidham | Broncos | 17/31, 133 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 4 carries, 23 yards | — |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | Patriots | — | 25 carries, 71 yards | 0 catches |
| RJ Harvey | Broncos | — | 13 carries, 37 yards | 4 catches, 22 yards |
| Mack Hollins | Patriots | — | — | 2 catches, 51 yards |
| Marvin Mims Jr. | Broncos | — | — | 4 catches, 62 yards |
| Stefon Diggs | Patriots | — | — | 5 catches, 17 yards |
| Courtland Sutton | Broncos | — | — | 3 catches, 17 yards, 1 TD |
All figures above come from the January 25 game, rather than season totals.
The contrast between the quarterbacks explains why passing yardage alone cannot describe this result. Stidham produced more through the air, while Maye supplied a vital rushing threat and avoided the turnovers that hurt Denver.
Maye’s Running Made the Difference
Maye finished with a modest passing line, but New England found another way to use its quarterback. His 6.5 yards per rushing attempt gave the offense an escape route when the passing game stalled.
That mattered because Denver repeatedly disrupted the pocket. The Broncos sacked Maye five times, limiting New England to 65 net passing yards after sack losses. Nevertheless, his mobility helped keep the Patriots competitive despite that pressure.
Stevenson provided the volume alongside him. His workload gave New England a way to keep attacking on the ground, even though Denver prevented him from producing a big individual run.
Hollins offered the most productive receiving outlet. His two receptions accounted for more than half of New England’s passing yardage, showing how heavily the Patriots relied on a small number of successful throws.
Stidham’s Early Success Did Not Last
Denver started Stidham because Bo Nix had suffered a fractured right ankle in the previous playoff round against Buffalo. The Broncos confirmed before the AFC Championship that Nix required season-ending surgery and that Stidham would take over. That injury status applied to the January postseason, not the current season.
Stidham initially gave Denver exactly what it needed. A 52-yard completion to Mims helped set up Sutton’s six-yard touchdown reception, putting the Broncos ahead in the first quarter.
However, Denver could not turn that opening into sustained scoring. Mims’ longest reception represented a substantial share of Stidham’s final passing total, underlining how dependent the offense became on one explosive gain.
Harvey contributed as both a runner and receiver, but Denver lacked a consistent ground threat. That left Stidham facing the difficult task of generating offense against pressure as conditions worsened.
The Turning Points Behind the 10–7 Result
Three sequences carried particular weight.
First, Denver failed on fourth-and-one from New England’s 20-yard line while leading 7–0. The incomplete pass ended a scoring opportunity and kept the Patriots within one touchdown.
Next, pressure on Stidham produced a backward pass that New England recovered. The resulting short field allowed Maye to score the tying touchdown before halftime.
Finally, New England opened the second half with a lengthy possession that ended in Andres Borregales’ go-ahead field goal. The Patriots never needed another score.
The importance of those moments goes beyond the scoring summary. Denver had chances to create separation early, but New England stayed close enough for one productive second-half possession to decide the contest.
What the Team Numbers Reveal
| Statistic | Patriots | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Total offense | 206 yards | 181 yards |
| Rushing yards | 141 | 79 |
| Net passing yards | 65 | 102 |
| First downs | 12 | 11 |
| Third-down conversions | 6/18 | 4/14 |
| Turnovers committed | 0 | 2 |
| Possession | 33:09 | 26:51 |
The distinction between individual passing yards and net passing yards matters here: team net passing totals deduct yardage lost on sacks.
New England’s advantage came through rushing production and ball security. Neither offense consistently moved the chains, so avoiding a damaging mistake became especially valuable.
Denver’s defense delivered a performance strong enough to keep the game winnable. Its offense, however, could not supply another scoring drive after the opening touchdown.
The closing stages reinforced that pattern. Leonard Taylor blocked Denver’s potential tying field goal, and Christian Gonzalez later intercepted Stidham. Maye then converted a crucial third down with his legs to help finish the game.
Next Broncos vs Patriots Match: Early Prediction
The next scheduled meeting is Denver at New England in Week 17 of the 2026 regular season. The official schedule still lists the matchup’s date and kickoff time as undetermined.
As of October 26, 2026, Denver stands at 5–2 following a 30–16 win over Arizona. New England is 4–3 after losing 30–24 at Chicago. These are current-season results, separate from the January championship statistics above.
Early prediction: Denver to win narrowly, with low confidence.
Denver’s stronger record and three-game winning streak give it a slight edge in this assessment. Nix is also back playing, making the upcoming quarterback situation different from the championship game. Against Arizona, he contributed through both passing and rushing, offering Denver an additional route to explosive plays.
New England’s home advantage makes this a close call. Maye’s ability to extend plays remains a major consideration, particularly given how effectively his running influenced the previous meeting.
This is an editorial forecast, not a confirmed outcome or a market-based probability. With several weeks remaining before the matchup, quarterback health, offensive-line availability and late-season form could change the pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the latest Broncos vs Patriots game?
New England won 10–7 on January 25, 2026, in the AFC Championship Game at Denver.
How did Drake Maye perform?
Maye completed 10 of 21 passes for 86 yards. He also rushed for 65 yards and New England’s only touchdown.
Who led the game in receiving yards?
Denver’s Marvin Mims Jr. led all receivers with 62 yards on four catches. Mack Hollins led New England with 51 yards.
Why did Jarrett Stidham start instead of Bo Nix?
Nix had suffered a fractured right ankle against Buffalo and required season-ending surgery. Denver named Stidham its starter for the championship game.
Who could win their next meeting?
Denver is the tentative pick based on its stronger record and recent form as of October 26. However, New England plays at home, and the matchup remains too far away for a firm prediction.
Conclusion
The latest Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots match player stats show how rushing, turnovers and situational execution can outweigh passing production. New England protected the ball and made the decisive plays to secure a three-point championship victory.
For the next meeting, watch the quarterbacks’ health and both teams’ form closer to Week 17. Follow our future NFL coverage for updated player statistics and matchup analysis.
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