AFC Championship Showdown: Can the Patriots Upset the Broncos and Rewrite History?

Sunday’s AFC Championship game sets the stage for a thrilling showdown between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos — two storied franchises with a history as tight as this contest promises to be. The Broncos hold a slender edge in their all-time duel, 27-23, but here’s the kicker: the last four clashes were snagged by the visitors, shaking up the usual home-field advantage script. In their latest bout, the Patriots snatched a nail-biting 26-23 victory at Mile High, flipping the field’s script just last year. Yet, when the playoffs are on the line, Denver doesn’t just talk the talk — they’ve dominated, leading 4-1 in postseason meetings, with the home team sealing the deal every time. The memories of 2016’s tight 20-18 AFC title win loom large, though this time the Broncos are leaning on backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who’s been off the in-game radar since 2023; a fact that adds a layer of suspense nobody saw coming. It’s a tale of grit, unexpected turns, and legacy clashes — and all the pieces are set for a classic. Want to dive deeper? LEARN MORE

The AFC Championship will get underway on Sunday afternoon in matchup featuring the No. 2 New England Patriots and No. 1 Denver Broncos.

The Broncos lead the all-time series between these teams, 27-23, and the away team has won the past four meetings. They last faced off back in 2023, when the Patriots won at Mile High Stadium, 26-23. Still, Denver leads their postseason series, 4-1, and the home team has won all five games. Most recently, the Broncos won the AFC Championship in 2016, at home, 20-18 — but Denver had Peyton Manning in that game, and this time, they’re relying on backup QB Jarrett Stidham, who, hasn’t thrown a pass in-game since 2023.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game:

New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos

Game time: 3:00 PM EST
Channel: CBS
Online Streaming: FuboTV | Paramount+
Location: Empower Field at Mile High | Denver, CO
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson (field reporter)