The New England Patriots have become the first team to book their spot in Super Bowl 60 after grinding out a 10-7 win at the Denver Broncos.
Defences dominated the AFC Championship game, which ended in a blizzard, and the Patriots did enough to reach their first Super Bowl since Tom Brady led the franchise to its sixth NFL championship in 2019.
Denver were the top seed in the NFC but had to give back-up quarterback Jarrett Stidham his first start in two years after Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle in last week’s Divisional Round win over Buffalo.
And although he threw a touchdown pass to give the Broncos the lead in the first quarter, two Stidham turnovers proved decisive.
New England’s second-year quarterback Drake Maye punished the first by running in a touchdown in the second quarter and the Patriots edged in front with a field goal in the third quarter.
A deep shot by Stidham was then intercepted by Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez with just over two minutes left, giving New England the chance to secure a record-extending 12th Super Bowl appearance.
They will face the winners of the NFC Championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in the NFL’s title decider.
Super Bowl 60 takes places on Sunday, 8 February in Santa Clara, California, at the home of the San Francisco 49ers.
More to follow.