Log in
My Account
Subscribe 99¢ for 3 months
Newsletter
Finger pushing
weather icon 14°F
Weather from WeatherAPI

Daily Weather Report
Powered By:

Login
My Account
Subscribe
Newsletter

Archive Information

Carrier Portal

Search

Buy Our Photos

Wil Lutz’s missed field goals loom over 10-7 loss to Patriots in AFC title game

By January 25, 2026 | updated 2 hours ago

Patriot players celebrate after Denver Broncos place kicker Wil Lutz (3) misses a field goal in the first half of the AFC Championship against the Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)

Wil Lutz took responsibility for two missed field goals in the AFC Championship Game. 

“The ultimate goal is to get to the Super Bowl and this team fell short,” the Broncos kicker said following a 10-7 loss to the Patriots. “Unfortunately, I played a part in that.” 

The weather conditions at Empower Field certainly played a role, too.  

The temperature at kickoff was higher than previously forecast at 26 degrees. But that dropped as the game continued. Light snow that began falling after halftime increased as the game continued. Lutz told reporters it was the first time he has played in such extreme cold and snow. 

“It doesn’t affect my mindset,” Lutz said. “It affects a lot, though.” 

The Broncos and Patriots were tied 7-7 with 24 seconds left before halftime. Lutz attempted a 54-yard field goal that went wide right. He got a shot at redemption late in the fourth quarter.  

The Broncos trailed, 10-7, with under five minutes left in regulation. Lutz attempted a 45-yard field goal through driving snow that was partially blocked by Patriots defensive lineman Leonard Taylor.

“Unfortunately, you couldn’t see the lines on the field, and honestly, I think we might have been a yard short on the snap,” Lutz said. “But you can’t see the lines on the field, and we had to kind of estimate. … A guy comes through and it gets blocked.”

The weather put a strain on punter Jeremy Crawshaw as the holder. 

“I can’t spin and rip the ball with the laces, because then the ball would just slide out,” Crawshaw said. “So, I had to be very controlled and smooth. It’s all of those things, that in moment, you just have to be very present and aware of what’s going on.” 

Crawshaw shared how Lutz reacted to missing two big kicks against New England. 

“In a moment like that, you really wish things could have gone the other way,” Crawshaw said. “That we could have put it through, gone to OT and won the game. But we just didn’t. (Lutz) is a vet for a reason. He holds himself to a high standard. He obviously wasn’t happy with how things played out. But he takes accountability very well.” 

Lutz wasn’t alone in his struggles. Patriots kicker Andy Borregales also missed field goal attempts of 63 and 46 yards. But his 23-yard attempt in the third quarter also put New England ahead.  

Lutz hit clutch field goals throughout the regular season. He made five game-winning kicks — including a 35-yarder to beat the Chiefs in Week 11 and earn AFC special teams player of the week honors. But it will be difficult for Lutz to shake the frost from Sunday night. 

“I’ve been an asset to this team all year. Today was tough conditions,” Lutz said. “Look at the other team. Look how they handled it. Look how I handled it. Unfortunately, it didn’t go either of our ways. … I wasn’t able to come through.”

Kyle Fredrickson

Reporter

PREV

PREVIOUS

Magical Broncos season ends with devastating loss in AFC Championship Game

Denver’s Super Bowl hopes disappeared into thin air like snowflakes drifting through the wind. Broncos fans headed toward the exits with under two minutes left in regulation when a winter wonderland at Empower Field turned into a frozen hellscape. An otherwise magical season ended with despair Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. Flakes continued swirling […]

NEXT

NEXT UP

Mark Kiszla: Take the points, knucklehead. Worst call of Sean Payton's career cost Broncos a trip to Super Bowl.

When the going gets tough, Broncos coach Sean Payton gets cute. And football is a game where cute gets you beat. This 10-7 loss to New England will forever be haunted by words as bitter as the snow that swirled around Payton on a wintry Sunday afternoon. Take the points, knucklehead. The Broncos won’t be […]
Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests