Story by
Mike Vrabel, Patriots Face Immediate Setback After Advancing to Super Bowl
- Story by
- Mike Vrabel, Patriots Face Immediate Setback After Advancing to Super Bowl
The New England Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl with a 10-7 win against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game Sunday. The game turned into a battle against the weather conditions in the second half. The snow and wind at Empower Field at Mile High held the teams to a combined three points after halftime, but that was enough to get New England back to its first Super Bowl since the 2018 season.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel kept the game plan simple, and quarterback Drake Maye avoided mistakes to secure the victory. Maye completed 10 of his 21 passes for 86 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He was able to win the game with timely run plays, picking up 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, including the game-sealing first down.
Advertisement
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) reacts after defeating the Denver Broncos.Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
While Vrabel did all he could to manage the conditions during the game, there was nothing he could do about the weather in Boston affecting his team's travel plans afterward. With the nationwide winter storm hitting the Northeast, some areas in Massachusetts were predicted to get up to 2 feet of snow from Sunday to Monday. After the win against the Broncos, the Patriots had to stay in Denver overnight to wait out the storm.
"Patriots players say they are staying in Denver tonight due to the snow back home," ESPN's Mike Reiss reported after the AFC championship. "The plan: Celebrate with each other, then return home Monday and get to work."
Advertisement
The overnight stay marked a notable change from typical NFL team travel schedules. After road games, team flights typically leave immediately after games in order to maximize time in their home market and avoid any temptation for players to get in trouble right after a big win or loss. Vrabel was on high alert for the latter concern after announcing the plans to his team.
"No curfew tonight," recalled Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams , when asked what Vrabel said to the team in the locker room. "But the bus leaving at eight in the morning, so if you ain't on it, you ain't playing in the [Super] Bowl."
Advertisement
As long as every player makes it to the bus Monday morning, the travel delay will be a small setback for Vrabel and the Patriots. If there's one time to get back from a road trip a day late, it is after winning the conference championship game, because the Patriots now have two weeks to prepare for the Super Bowl Feb. 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
On Monday, they can start preparing to face the winner of the NFC Championship Game, the Seattle Seahawks .
Advertisement
Related: Drake Maye's Wife Ann Michael Maye Calls Out Patriots QB's Postgame Behavior
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
