The Patriots are back — and Super Bowl bound

• The Pats are loaded with young talent across the roster, which could signal the dawn of another prolonged stretch of annual contention for New England.

State of play: The Patriots defeated the Broncos, 10-7, on the road in snowy Denver on Sunday, punching their ticket to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.

• Quarterback Drake Maye passed for just 86 yards in conditions that worsened rapidly in the second half, but ran for the team's only touchdown just before halftime.
• The game was dominated by defense early, before heavy snow halted both offenses in the second half.

Context: The victory will have an asterisk for some, as Denver was without starting quarterback Bo Nix, who broke his ankle a week earlier.

• In his place, former New England draft pick Jarrett Stidham — who hadn't attempted a pass in an NFL game since 2023 — threw for 133 yards and a touchdown but also tossed a crucial late interception.

Yes, but: Save this detail for the doubters: Maye on Sunday became the first quarterback in history to beat three top-5 defenses in the same playoffs, per the Boston Globe.

Catch up quick: The Pats have come a long way in just one year.

• Last January, they fired head coach Jerod Mayo after a single season in which the team went 4-13. His replacement, former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, was hired the same month.
• In his first season, the Pats went 14-3. Maye became an MVP finalist.

What's next: In the Super Bowl, the Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks, who beat the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night.

• 6:30pm on Feb. 8. Watch on NBC or Peacock.

What they're saying: Interviewed on the field after the game, Maye heaped praise on his defense and the resilience his teammates showed in challenging conditions.

• "Pats are back, baby," he added.

Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the outcome of the Seahawks vs. Rams game.