At a Glance
- Patriots and Broncos clash in the AFC Championship on Sunday for a Super Bowl berth.
- Both teams finished the regular season 14-3, earning top seeds and first-round byes.
- The game will decide whether the Patriots’ defense or the Broncos’ offense, after Bo Nix’s injury, will advance.
The upcoming AFC Championship Game in Denver pits the Patriots against the Broncos in a showdown that could reshape the postseason. With both teams boasting 14-3 records, the stakes are high: the winner will head to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.
The Road to the AFC Championship
The Patriots, under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, secured the No. 2 seed with a 14-3 record. Their season was highlighted by quarterback Drake Maye, who emerged as an MVP contender, and a defense that dominated in the playoffs. The Patriots knocked off the No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round and then defeated the No. 5 Houston Texans in the divisional round.
The Broncos earned the No. 1 seed, also finishing 14-3. Their path to the title game included a thrilling overtime victory over the No. 6 Buffalo Bills in the divisional round. However, the team faced a major setback when starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury. The Broncos will now rely on backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, a 2019 Patriots draft pick, to carry the offense.
Key Players to Watch
- Drake Maye – Patriots’ quarterback, MVP-level performance in the regular season.
- Bo Nix – Broncos’ starting quarterback, sidelined with a season-ending ankle injury.
- Jarrett Stidham – Backup quarterback for the Broncos, former Patriots draftee.
- Patriots’ defense – The primary force in the postseason, key to overcoming high-scoring opponents.
AFC Championship Game History
The Patriots and Broncos have met twice before in this game, with the Broncos winning both 2013 and 2015 at home. The upcoming matchup will be the third.
Team Appearances and Records
| Rank | Team | Appearances | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-1 | Patriots | 16 | 11 | 4 |
| T-1 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 16 | 8 | 8 |
| T-3 | Denver Broncos | 11 | 8 | 2 |
| T-3 | Las Vegas Raiders | 11 | 4 | 7 |
| 5 | Kansas City Chiefs | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| T-6 | Miami Dolphins | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| T-6 | Buffalo Bills | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| T-6 | Indianapolis Colts | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| T-9 | Baltimore Ravens | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| T-9 | Tennessee Titans | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| T-11 | Cincinnati Bengals | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| T-11 | Los Angeles Chargers | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| T-11 | New York Jets | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| T-14 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| T-14 | Cleveland Browns | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 16 | Seattle Seahawks | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| T-17 | Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T-17 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The Patriots’ 11 championship wins include nine from the Tom Brady era (2001-2019), translating to six Super Bowl victories. The Steelers are tied with the Patriots for most wins.
Most Common Matchups
The Patriots-Broncos pairing is the third most common AFC Championship Game matchup. It now ties the record for most frequent matchups, joining the following five:
- Raiders-Steelers (Steelers 2-1)
- Broncos-Browns (Broncos 3-0)
- Colts-Patriots (Patriots 2-1)
- Patriots-Steelers (Patriots 3-0)
- Bills-Chiefs (Chiefs 2-1)
Takeaways
- The game will decide whether the Patriots’ defensive prowess or the Broncos’ offensive resilience will carry them to the Super Bowl.
- A season-ending injury to Bo Nix forces the Broncos to rely on a backup quarterback with Patriots ties.
- The Patriots and Broncos have a storied history in this game, with the Broncos winning the previous two meetings.
- The AFC Championship Game has seen 16 teams reach the title game, with the Patriots and Steelers leading in appearances and wins.
The outcome of Sunday’s clash will not only determine the next Super Bowl participant but also reinforce the legacy of two franchises that have dominated the AFC over the past two decades.
