The New England Patriots have secured their place in Super Bowl LX, and a controversial play that led to the game-winning score has sparked intense discussions on social media. The game was marked by harsh weather conditions, with only three points scored by either team in the second half. However, it was a pivotal field goal by the Patriots that ultimately sent them to Santa Clara for the championship.

A key moment came during a fourth-and-1 play, which some fans believe should not have been converted by quarterback Drake Maye. After a third-and-10 screen pass to tight end Hunter Henry fell just short of the first-down marker, head coach Mike Vrabel decided to go for it. The play involved a quarterback sneak, but Maye stumbled immediately after the snap, appearing to be short of the line to gain.

Officials deliberated and began moving the chains for a first-and-goal, prompting Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton to throw the red challenge flag. Upon reviewing the overhead footage, it seemed as though Maye was either right at the line or just short. However, due to the lack of clear evidence to overturn the call, the decision stood, giving the Patriots a chance to take the lead.

Despite failing to score a touchdown, the Patriots managed to kick a 23-yard field goal, putting them ahead by three points. This narrow victory has ignited debates on social media, with many fans questioning the officiating decisions.

“Absolutely short, but by NFL rules (which aren’t good), I can understand the play standing as called on the field,” one user said. “What I don’t understand is why they didn’t use the new digital measurement to determine the spot of the ball.”

Some users pointed out that side officials rushed onto the field to suggest Maye was short, but an official downfield appeared to be the one who called for the first down. Another user remarked, “The side refs actually walked in with them being clearly short of the 1st, then adjusted the path and just awarded them a first down.”

The weather worsened throughout the game, and Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who started after Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury, performed well. He threw a deep ball to Marvin Mims Jr., setting up a play-action touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton. However, the Broncos struggled to score more points due to the challenging conditions at Mile High Stadium.

In the end, the Patriots made two crucial defensive plays to secure their victory. The first was a fourth-and-1 stop by the Broncos, resulting in a turnover on downs. Later, Stidham attempted a desperation pass instead of taking a sack, but it was ruled a backward throw, allowing the Patriots to recover the ball. A few plays later, Maye ran it in to tie the game at seven apiece.

Now, the Patriots will watch the NFC Championship Game between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams to see who they will face at Levi’s Stadium in two weeks. Meanwhile, the Broncos will reflect on the missed opportunities, including this critical play.

For more sports coverage, follow Fox News Digital’s sports updates on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.