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Patriots lose out on touchdown because of premature whistle

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jan 25, 2026 4:44 PM ET

The New England Patriots briefly lost out on six points during Sunday’s AFC Championship game due to an overeager whistle by the officiating crew.

Late in the second quarter of Sunday’s game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Co., Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham lost control of the football inside his own 15-yard line. Linebacker Elijah Ponder picked it up and took it to the end zone for the Patriots, seemingly giving them a defensive touchdown.

The play was whistled dead, however, just as Ponder picked up the ball. The officials initially called intentional grounding on the play, but after discussion, it was ruled that Stidham’s throw was a backwards pass and thus a live ball. Because of the whistle, however, the Patriots were not allowed to advance the fumble.

Refs blow the whistle early and take a potential TD off the boardpic.twitter.com/j5m2aSWJC0
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) January 25, 2026

New England scored two plays later, but the premature whistle threatened to take points off the board in a crucial spot. Had the Patriots not punched it in, that may well have become a story, and Mike Vrabel might have had to sound off about the officiating again.

The Broncos and Patriots both wound up missing field goals later in the half, ensuring a 7-7 tie at halftime.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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