Four Studs, Four Duds From Patriots’ Painful Win Over Broncos

The New England Patriots have officially punched their ticket to Super Bowl LX. Once again, the Pats grinded their way to an ugly playoff victory, but at the end of the day, all that mattered was that their 10 points were more than the seven the Denver Broncos scored in this one.

All throughout the postseason, New England has found a way to win, and it will look to do so one more time when it faces off against the Seattle Seahawks in the final game of the 2025 NFL season. Before we look ahead to that contest, though, let’s pick out four studs and four duds from the Patriots’ win over the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

Studs

Christian Gonzalez

This game did not start particularly well for Christian Gonzalez, as he was hung out to dry twice on Denver’s lone touchdown drive of the game. He responded by promptly locking up Courtland Sutton for the rest of the day, and his late interception of Jarrett Stidham allowed the Patriots to officially put this one to rest.

Christian Elliss

Before Gonzalez’s interception, the biggest play of this game saw Christian Elliss record a strip-sack on Stidham that set up New England’s offense for its only touchdown drive of the game. With Robert Spillane being forced out of this game early due to an ankle injury, Elliss stepped up in a big way, as he also finished with four tackles on the day.

Leonard Taylor III

If you didn’t know who Leonard Taylor III was before this game, you probably weren’t alone. The recent practice squad elevation blocked Wil Lutz’s 45-yard field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter that would have tied the game at 10. Taylor didn’t record a single counting stat, but this play alone did more than enough to earn him a spot on this list.

Drake Maye

Even without accounting for the snowy conditions, this was the worst passing game of Drake Maye’s career (10/21, 86 YDS). However, he was the most effective offensive player in this game thanks to his rushing abilities (10 CAR, 65 YDS, 1 TD). Maye scored the Pats’ only TD, and his gutsy bootleg on 3rd & 6 at the end of the fourth secured the win.

Duds

Andy Borregales

Again, the weather certainly didn’t help, but Andy Borregales was not at his best in a game where points were at a premium. He wasn’t even close on a 63-yard attempt at the end of the first half, and he missed wide right on a 46-yard attempt at the end of the third quarter. He did hit a crucial 23-yarder and his lone extra point attempt, though.

TreVeyon Henderson

While Rhamondre Stevenson was effectively the team’s offense in the fourth quarter, TreVeyon Henderson was once again missing in action. He got just three carries for five yards, as the team opted to lean on Stevenson and his ability to run up the gut. It would be nice if Henderson could bounce back when the team suits up in Super Bowl LX.

Kayshon Boutte

It was always going to be a tough day for Kayshon Boutte, as he spent most of his day getting shadowed by Patrick Surtain II. But even when Boutte got open, he and Maye were not on the same page. Boutte caught just one of his six targets for a meager six-yard gain, and it’s safe to say he will have to be better against the Seahawks.

Bryce Baringer

The punting battle between Bryce Baringer and Jeremy Crawshaw ended up becoming an unexpectedly important part of this game. While Crawshaw frequently made life difficult on the Pats’ offense, Baringer struggled to consistently put the Broncos’ offense in tough spots. The weather didn’t help, but this was not Baringer’s best day.