The Denver Broncos’ 2025 season came to a heartbreaking end on January 25, 2026, in a frigid, snow-filled AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High. In a defensive slugfest dictated by the elements, the New England Patriots eked out a 10-7 victory to advance to Super Bowl LX.
The Broncos’ offense, led by backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham in place of the injured Bo Nix, found the end zone only once—a first-quarter rushing touchdown. After that, the unit was stifled by both a stout Patriots defense and the worsening field conditions. The Patriots took the lead for good in the third quarter on a field goal by kicker Andy Borregales, making the score 10-7.
The Broncos’ defense delivered a championship-level performance, holding New England to just 10 points and giving the offense multiple opportunities to reclaim the lead. Ultimately, the inability to generate points proved insurmountable. The game sparked local discussion about the stadium’s open-air design, with notes that a retractable roof would have been closed for such a storm. While the loss is a bitter pill, the team’s run to the conference championship game marks a significant step forward for the Sean Payton era and provides a foundation of experience for a young core heading into 2026.