Last week, Broncos head coach Sean Payton confirmed quarterback Bo Nix fractured his ankle and would miss the playoffs. With Nix out, the assumption was that the winner of the Texans-Patriots game would have an open door to the Super Bowl, given Denver’s weakened roster. The Patriots won, and with backup Jarett Stidham now starting for Denver, New England immediately became the favorite to reach the AFC Championship.
While momentum currently favors New England, the TSN Edge X account reminded us that the Patriots are 0-4 in postseason games in Denver.
During 2025, the New England Patriots have reestablished themselves as one of the top teams in the AFC for the first time since 2019. The Patriots also have a quarterback playing at an MVP level once again; however, this time, it is Drake Maye rather than Tom Brady. Yet, as the Patriots look to reclaim their dominance, they are equally wary of repeating a familiar setback: the Patriots’ “Mile High Curse” during the NFL playoffs since 1987.
Even with Tom Brady leading the Patriots’ offense, New England went 0-3 against the Broncos when playing in Denver. This ongoing struggle has its roots in history: the Patriots are 0-4 against the Broncos in Denver, and in each of those losses, the Patriots had the better roster. While the Patriots have blamed those losses on a combination of a loud home crowd in Denver and the thin air at high altitude, the result is that New England always finds a way to lose.
The Chinks in the New England Patriots’ Armor
This season, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has stepped up and has become one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL in 2025. However, with the specter of the “Mile High Curse” looming, a few red flags came up last week. Maye’s secret to success has been his ability to play efficient football, allowing his offensive weapons and the Patriots’ defense to lead the team to victory. However, against the Texans’ pass rush, Maye fumbled the ball four times, and if that happens against the Broncos’ pass rush, the Patriots could once again be looking at a stunning loss in the AFC Championship game.
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