At a Glance
- The AFC Championship will pit the New England Patriots against the Denver Broncos for a Super Bowl berth.
- Both teams finished the regular season 14-3, earning the top two seeds.
- The game will be played in Mile High, with the winner advancing to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
Why it matters: The matchup could crown a new champion after a decade of dominance by the Patriots and Steelers.
The AFC Championship, set for Sunday in Denver, brings two storied franchises together in a battle for a spot in Super Bowl LX. The New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos both finished the 2024 regular season with a 14-3 record, earning the No. 2 and No. 1 seeds respectively. With the stakes higher than ever, fans are watching to see which team can carry its momentum into the biggest stage in football.
The Road to the AFC Title
New England Patriots
- Head coach Mike Vrabel is in his first season, guiding the team to its best record in two years.
- Quarterback Drake Maye earned MVP consideration during the regular season, but the Patriots’ defense has been the real engine in the playoffs.
- The defense forced a combined 11 turnovers against the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 7 seed) and Houston Texans (No. 5 seed) in the wild-card and divisional rounds.
- With a 14-3 record, the Patriots secured the AFC’s No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.
Denver Broncos
- The Broncos also finished 14-3, earning the top seed and a first-round bye.
- After a thrilling overtime win over the Buffalo Bills (No. 6 seed) in the divisional round, the Broncos faced a setback when star quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
- Backup Jarrett Stidham, a 2019 Patriots draft pick, will take the reins for the championship game.
- The Broncos’ victory over the Bills gave them a 14-3 record, matching the Patriots for the best in the conference.
Key Matchup Stats
| Team | Appearances | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 16 | 11 | 4 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 16 | 8 | 8 |
| Denver Broncos | 11 | 8 | 2 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 11 | 4 | 7 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| Miami Dolphins | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| Buffalo Bills | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Tennessee Titans | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| New York Jets | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The Patriots and Broncos are tied for the most appearances in the AFC Championship, each with 16 and 11 respectively. The Patriots lead with 11 victories, while the Steelers are close behind with 8.
The Stakes
A win in Denver sends a team to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, where the championship game will be played on February 10, 2025. The game carries the weight of a decade of playoff success for the Patriots and the Broncos’ resurgence under new leadership.
Recent History Between the Teams
This will be the third AFC Championship encounter between the Patriots and Broncos. The Broncos won the previous two matchups at home in 2013 and 2015. The series now stands at 2-1 in favor of the Broncos.
The Patriots-Broncos pairing is one of the most common matchups in AFC Championship history, tied for the record with five other pairings such as Raiders-Steelers and Colts-Patriots.
What Fans Should Watch
- Defensive matchups: The Patriots’ defense has forced 11 turnovers in the playoffs; will it continue against the Broncos’ offense?
- Backup quarterback play: With Bo Nix out, Jarrett Stidham’s performance will be crucial for Denver.
- Coaching decisions: Mike Vrabel’s first season as head coach and Sean Payton’s experience could tip the balance.
- Special teams: Both teams have shown clutch kicking; a single missed field goal could decide the game.
- Historical context: The Patriots’ 11-4 record in the AFC Championship (tied for most wins) adds pressure to maintain their legacy.
Takeaways
- The AFC Championship is a clash of two 14-3 teams, each with a strong playoff pedigree.
- The Patriots’ defensive dominance and the Broncos’ offensive uncertainty will be key storylines.
- A victory will send a franchise to Super Bowl LX, a game that could redefine a decade of NFL history.
As Sunday approaches, the spotlight will be on Mile High, where the Patriots and Broncos will fight for a chance to write the next chapter in the NFL’s championship saga.
