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The New England Patriots are heading again to the Tremendous Bowl, and one controversial play that finally led to the game-winning rating has soccer followers debating on social media.
A second-half blizzard led to solely three factors being scored by both crew, but it surely was the decisive discipline objective by the Patriots that finally sends them to Santa Clara for Tremendous Bowl LX. Nonetheless, a fourth-and-1 play comes into focus now as a result of some consider quarterback Drake Maye shouldn’t have transformed.
After a third-and-10 display screen to tight finish Hunter Henry fell one yard quick, head coach Mike Vrabel made the decision to go for it. It was a quarterback sneak, however after stumbling from the snap, Maye appeared like he was quick.
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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye appears in the direction of his bench through the second half of the AFC Championship NFL soccer recreation in opposition to the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photograph/Ashley Landis)
However officers deliberated and began to maneuver the chains for first-and-goal, which led Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton to throw the pink problem flag.
After reviewing the overhead tape, it appeared like Maye was both proper on the line to achieve or simply quick. However contemplating the shortage of sturdy proof to overturn the officers, the decision stood and the Patriots had a Grade-An opportunity to take their first lead of the sport.
New England failed to seek out the tip zone, however a 23-yard discipline objective was a chip shot to not less than put them up by three factors.
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The controversy ensued on social media afterward.
“Completely quick however by NFL guidelines (which aren’t good), I can perceive the play standing as referred to as on the sector,” one X consumer stated. “What I don’t perceive is why they didn’t use the brand new digital measurement to find out the spot of the ball.”
They didn’t use that know-how to seek out the spot of the ball, however some X customers identified the aspect officers rushed in to the center of the sector to indicate Maye was quick. Nonetheless, an official downfield seemed to be the one who referred to as for the primary down.
“The aspect refs really walked in with them being clearly wanting the first, then adjusted the trail and simply awarded them a primary down,” one other X consumer stated.
Drake Maye of the New England Patriots is pressured by Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos through the first quarter within the AFC Championship Playoff recreation at Empower Subject At Mile Excessive on Jan. 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Photographs)
The climate obtained a lot worse from there, and Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, getting the beginning after Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle damage. He did effectively to attain the primary landing of the sport after a deep ball to Marvin Mims Jr. arrange a play-action landing move to Courtland Sutton.
However these had been the one factors the Broncos might muster, particularly after the snow and wind made the sector a large number at Mile Excessive.
In the long run, the Patriots had been capable of provide you with two clutch performs on protection to make it so they’re AFC champions. The primary was a fourth-and-1 for the Broncos that resulted in a turnover on downs.
Then, Stidham determined to not take a sack and take a look at a desperation move, but it surely was dominated a backwards throw and the Patriots scooped it up. A number of performs later, Maye ran it in to tie the sport at seven apiece.
Drake Maye of the New England Patriots rushes for a landing through the second quarter within the AFC Championship Playoff recreation in opposition to the Denver Broncos at Empower Subject At Mile Excessive on Jan. 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Photographs)
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Now, the Patriots will watch the NFC Championship Recreation between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams to see who they are going to be taking part in at Levi’s Stadium in two weeks.
In the meantime, the Broncos will probably be desirous about the what-ifs, together with this essential play.
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