The New England Patriots have spent the last season engineering a remarkable turnaround, and on Sunday, they stunned the NFL by completing their journey back to the Super Bowl with an AFC Championship win over the Denver Broncos.
The Patriots captured a 10-7 win over the Broncos in a defensive struggle that turned out to be the second consecutive snow game for New England. And despite the challenging wintry environment and natural atmospheric challenges that accompany a trip to Empower Field at Mile High, the Patriots took care of business for their 17th victory of the season, returning to the Super Bowl for the first time since capturing Super Bowl LIII at the close of the 2018 season.
The Super Bowl appearance for the Patriots puts the cherry on top of a remarkable season that has gone better for the organization than any of their fans – or really anyone who follows the league – could have imagined. The Patriots are coming off back-to-back four-win seasons and are in their first season under the leadership of head coach Mike Vrabel, who previously captured three Super Bowls as a player with the franchise.
The Patriots will face the winner of the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, as the NFC West Divisional Rivals battle in a rubber match on Sunday night in the NFC Championship Game after splitting their first two games of the year. Check out some of the reactions to their dramatic turnaround below.
After two straight seasons of going 4-13, who would’ve thought? pic.twitter.com/zrgyVaOGul
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2026
THE THRONE IS RECLAIMED 👑
— ESPN (@espn) January 25, 2026
New England is AFC royalty again, headed to the Super Bowl for the first time since Super Bowl LIII. pic.twitter.com/fDhN7caIiK
From 4-13 to Super Bowl bound.
— JPA (@jasrifootball) January 25, 2026
Mike Vrabel is one hell of a coach. pic.twitter.com/11xvGOJjo9
With Sunday’s AFC-clinching victory, the Patriots have now won 17 games this season.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 25, 2026
They won 16 games over the previous three seasons combined. pic.twitter.com/VHU3jeITaG
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Internet reacts as Patriots cap stunning season with Super Bowl trip