How zero turnovers in a snowstorm earned the Patriots their Super Bowl ticket

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How zero turnovers in a snowstorm earned the Patriots their Super Bowl ticket

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Mon, Jan 26, 2026 ·

3 min read

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DENVER – The snow was falling so hard that Patriots punter Bryce Baringer said he couldn’t see when he punted the ball in the second half of the AFC Championship game. The field was so slick that Rhamondre Stevenson slipped and fell with the ball in his hands in the fourth quarter.

Patriots center Garrett Bradbury struggled to grip the ball on snaps to Drake Maye . Players said they had trouble breathing, running, and seeing in this conference championship win.

“It was cool at first,” Milton Williams said. “It was cold. The snow started coming down pretty hard. Wind blowing. Can’t see. Can’t breathe. But none of that matters.”

The Patriots and Broncos battled the elements on Sunday. The weather made it less than ideal to play football. That’s why it was so impressive that the Patriots never lost the football.

Heading into Sunday’s game, Mike Vrabel had several important message for his team: secure the football .

In the Patriots’ first two playoff games, the offense turned over the ball five times. Over the last two weeks, Drake Maye has had six fumbles (losing three) and two interceptions (one off a Hail Mary and a tipped pass).

Vrabel and the coaching staff told their Patriots players before the game and during halftime of the AFC Championship game that it couldn’t happen again.

“That’s the difference in the game,” Bradbury said. “We knew it going into the week, coming into halftime (turnover margin) was 1-0 us. And that’s why it was 7-7. That was the difference in the game. The coaches preached it before the game, at halftime. It’s a testament to everyone. Coach always says ball security is not one guy’s job.”

In the first half, the Broncos were outplaying the Patriots and leading 7-0 near the end of the second quarter. That’s when Christian Elliss forced a fumble on Jarrett Stidham . Rookie Elijah Ponder recovered the ball, and two plays later, Maye ran in for a 6-yard touchdown, tying the game.

In the second half, the snow got worse.

Offensively, it was a struggle to move the ball, never mind hold onto it. Vrabel continued to preach his message as the field got slicker.

“We’re continuing to talk to them about the cleats and the ball security,” Vrabel said. “You saw Rhamondre slip. It’s just a reminder that one play could make the difference, and that he came back and ran really well, and about just taking care of football and calling a game that doesn’t put the ball in harm’s way. We forced them, and again, defensively we adjusted.”

In the fourth quarter, the Broncos had one last chance with 3:05 left on the clock. Two plays into their last drive, Stidham was intercepted by Christian Gonzalez . Next, Maye helped run out the clock, escaping the pocket and sprinting through the snow for a first down.

The first Broncos turnover led to the Patriots’ only touchdown. The second one iced the game for Vrabel’s team and helped send them to Super Bowl 60.

“It was definitely a little slick,” Maye said. “… It was good enough on the last run to get around the edge. Other than that, we had some times where we had some chances to score, and I think we have to help our defense out more, but hey, it is what it is. Man, it’s awesome, we’re going to the Super Bowl. I can’t complain.”

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