DENVER — The curse is over. Stefon Diggs is finally going to the Super Bowl. In a game defined by a brutal blizzard and suffocating defense, the New England Patriots squeezed past the Denver Broncos 10-7 on Sunday to claim the AFC title. Diggs, who had seen his season end in heartbreak during previous conference championship trips with Minnesota and Buffalo, finally stood on the winning side of the confetti as the clock hit zero at a frozen Empower Field at Mile High.
A Snowy Slugfest in the Mile High City
Visibility was nearly zero for much of the afternoon, turning a highly anticipated matchup between Drake Maye and the Broncos’ secondary into a ground-and-pound war. The Patriots relied on a suffocating defensive front that held Denver to just 180 total yards. Diggs didn’t post the flashy 150-yard stat line fans are used to, but his 5 receptions for 17 yards were hard-earned in 21-degree temperatures. His presence forced Denver to keep a safety over the top, opening lanes for New England’s run game. The difference-maker came late in the third quarter when Maye scrambled for a 4-yard score, giving the Patriots a lead they would never relinquish.
“I fell short so many times. I can’t say nothing but perfect timing as of right now. This team took a chance on me coming off the injury, and I just wanted to make them proud. They called me washed, said I didn’t have it anymore. I just wanted to prove I am who I say I am.” — Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots Wide Receiver
The Road to Santa Clara
The Patriots return to the Super Bowl for the 12th time in franchise history, but this trip feels different. This is the first time the organization has reached the summit since the 2018 season, proving that head coach Mike Vrabel has successfully rebuilt the culture in Foxborough. While the offense struggled in the snow, the defense proved it can travel. They now head to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara to face the winner of the Rams-Seahawks NFC clash. For Diggs, the mission is simple: the championship ring that has eluded him for 11 seasons is now only 60 minutes of football away. Expect New England to open as slight favorites regardless of their opponent, given how they dismantled the AFC’s top-seeded Broncos on their own turf.
