The NFL is king, but even this league cannot force Mother Nature to bend a knee.
Inclement weather played a significant factor in the AFC championship game on Jan. 25. Both the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos suffered from miscues and execution issues on routine plays as heavy snow fell and covered the field throughout the second half.
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By the end of the Patriots’ win to return to the Super Bowl, there had been four missed kicks between the two teams, a shanked punt, several slips and falls and a near standstill on offense for both sides.
Take a look at how the weather played a significant role in the AFC championship game:
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See snow fly during frigid Broncos-Patriots AFC championship game
A Denver Broncos fgroundsmen clears the field from snow during the second half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver.
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See snow fly during frigid Broncos-Patriots AFC championship game
A Denver Broncos fgroundsmen clears the field from snow during the second half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver.
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See snow fly during frigid Broncos-Patriots AFC championship game
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach (97) reacts against the New England Patriots during the second half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver.
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See snow fly during frigid Broncos-Patriots AFC championship game
Denver Broncos wide receiver Lil’jordan Humphrey (17) attempts to make a catch against the New England Patriots during the second half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver.
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See snow fly during frigid Broncos-Patriots AFC championship game
The Denver Broncos cheerleaders perform during the second half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver.
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See snow fly during frigid Broncos-Patriots AFC championship game
A Denver Broncos fan during the second half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver.
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See snow fly during frigid Broncos-Patriots AFC championship game
New England Patriots fans react during the second half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver.
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See snow fly during frigid Broncos-Patriots AFC championship game
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) drops back to pass against the Denver Broncos during the second half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver.
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See snow fly during frigid Broncos-Patriots AFC championship game
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) rushes the ball against the Denver Broncos during the second half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver.
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See snow fly during frigid Broncos-Patriots AFC championship game
New England Patriots place kicker Andy Borregales (36) kicks a field goal against the Denver Broncos during the second half in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver.
Weather impacts Broncos vs. Patriots AFC championship game
There were a total of four missed field goals in the AFC championship game. There were two of them – one by each team – at end of the first half, before the snow started to fall. There were two more – also one by each team – in the snowy second half.
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First, there was Patriots kicker Andy Borregales’ missed 46-yard field goal attempt near the end of the third quarter.
