The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos are tied 7-7 at the end of a low-scoring first half in the AFC Championship Game.
The Broncos were in control early and struck first in the opening quarter on a touchdown from Courtland Sutton set up by a deep ball from Jarrett Stidham to Marvin Mims on third down.
The Broncos went with Stidham under centre after starting quarterback Bo Nix fractured his ankle on the final drive of Denver’s win over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round last week. It is his first career playoff game and just his fifth start at the NFL level in his career.
Stidham’s inexperience showed up late in the second quarter when he fumbled on a backwards pass deep in his own territory, setting the Patriots up near the Denver goal line. Two plays later, Drake Maye ran in a touchdown to pull the Pats even nearing halftime.
Denver had a chance to re-take the lead in the final minute, but Will Lutz was unable to split the uprights from 54 yards out. Andy Borregalas was unable to convert a 63-yarder on the final play of the half for the Patriots.
The AFC champion will take on the winner of the NFC title game between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams scheduled for later Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Watch the game LIVE on TSN3, TSN.ca and the TSN App.
