Breaking down the key sequences, mostly through video analysis, in the Patriots' 10-7 AFC Championship Game victory over the Broncos, including:
• Good team defense and Marcus Jones' hustle play on third down, leading to the fourth-down stop;
• Jarrett Stidham screws the pooch on the turnover, and Christian Elliss capitalizes;
• Maye's scramble and decision-making, with an assist from Rhamondre Stevenson, leads to final points.
1-10-NE 23 (11:39) R.Harvey up the middle to NE 21 for 2 yards (A.Jennings; C.Durden).
2-8-NE 21 (11:01) (Shotgun) J.Stidham scrambles left end to NE 19 for 2 yards (J.Gibbens).
3-6-NE 19 (10:11) (Shotgun) J.Stidham scrambles right end to NE 14 for 5 yards (M.Jones).
Timeout #2 by DEN at 09:28.
4-1-NE 14 (9:28) J.Stidham pass incomplete short right to R.Harvey (C.Woodson) [M.Williams].
First down was a really nice play by Cory Durden two-gapping the center, Luke Wattenberg, and Anfernee Jennings defeating TE Adam Trautman.
On second down, Stidham didn't have much, and Jack Gibbens and Christian Elliss did well to rally to the ball to force third and long.
On third down, Marcus Jones slips but uses his terrific speed to track down Stidham and tackle him 1 yard short of the first-down marker.
Sean Payton should have taken the field goal, obviously, but the Patriots blew up this play. Not sure if it was just luck, or film study, but they had the perfect call. The Broncos were running outside zone to the left, with a boot back to the right. The Patriots had a slant called the opposite way, which led to Milton Williams being completely unblocked. If he's not there, the Broncos probably find a completion. But with Williams right there, the Patriots smothered the play.
2-5-DEN 32 (3:43) J.McLaughlin left tackle to DEN 33 for 1 yard (K.Chaisson).
3-4-DEN 33 (2:59) (Shotgun) J.Stidham sacked at DEN 14 for -19 yards (C.Elliss). FUMBLES (C.Elliss) [C.Elliss], RECOVERED by NE-E.Ponder at DEN 12
1-10-DEN 12 (2:52) T.Munford reported in as eligible. D.Maye pass short left to K.Boutte to DEN 6 for 6 yards (R.Moss).
2-4-DEN 6 (2:14) (Shotgun) D.Maye right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Great job by K'Lavon Chaisson defeating the "block" of an overmatched receiver to stuff the second-down run.
On third down, this was not a designed screen. The back is actually just in pass protection, where he is trying to chip Elijah Ponder, and then he might go out for a pass. Stidham missed a wide-open Trautman for the first down to the right, and Trautman was not happy about it. Even had both hands up. Stidham should have turfed the ball at the back's feet, but he doesn't, and it's a disaster. Good job by Elliss being there to capitalize.
Maye's designed run was the perfect call, and perfectly executed to the point Maye goes in untouched. That's embarrassing for a defense.
3-9-DEN 45 (10:22) (Shotgun) D.Maye scrambles up the middle ran ob at DEN 17 for 28 yards (T.Hufanga).
2-10-DEN 17 (9:02) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass incomplete deep left to R.Stevenson [M.Roach].
3-10-DEN 17 (8:57) D.Maye pass short right to H.Henry to DEN 8 for 9 yards (J.Barron; P.Locke)
Maye had no one down the field, so this was a really good decision. Maye gets a huge assist from Stevenson, who blocks the heck out of a really good DT in Zach Allen.
Maye also makes a good decision, throwing the ball away to Stevenson, and not forcing it.
A well-executed screen to Hunter Henry leads to a fourth down conversion and, ultimately, the final points of this win.
