The AFC Championship Game is set, and it’s a familiar clash with plenty of history: the Denver Broncos hosting the New England Patriots. And here’s a stat that’ll make Broncos fans smile-New England has never beaten Denver in the playoffs at Mile High. That streak is on the line this Sunday, but the Broncos will have to defend it without their starting quarterback.
Bo Nix, who had taken command of the offense in his rookie season, is out for the rest of the year after suffering a broken ankle in the closing moments of overtime last week. The good news?
Early reports suggest the injury won’t impact his availability for the start of the 2026 season. But for now, the Broncos turn to Jarrett Stidham to lead the charge in the biggest game of the year.
This isn’t going to be a one-man show. If Denver is going to punch its ticket to the Super Bowl, it’ll take a total team effort-especially with the Patriots bringing a deep and balanced offensive unit to town.
Patriots Offense: Built on Balance, Not Just Stars
Let’s talk about what makes this New England offense so tricky to defend. It’s not just one or two guys lighting it up-it’s a collection of weapons, all capable of doing damage.
In the regular season, the Patriots had six players rack up at least 550 yards from scrimmage. That kind of distribution isn’t just rare-it’s a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
TreVeyon Henderson led the way with 1,132 yards, followed closely by Stefon Diggs with 1,013. Rhamondre Stevenson wasn’t far behind with 948, while tight end Hunter Henry quietly had a strong campaign with 768. Even receivers Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte chipped in with over 550 yards apiece.
That’s a whole lot of mouths to feed-and a lot of different looks for Denver’s defense to prepare for.
Adding to the challenge? Hollins is expected to return to the lineup this week, giving New England another weapon on the outside. While none of these players may be in the same tier as the elite playmakers Denver faced last week-think James Cook-they collectively pose a serious threat.
Can Denver’s Defense Hold Up?
The Broncos’ secondary has been a strength all season, and they’ll need to be sharp again this weekend. Patrick Surtain II continues to play at an All-Pro level, and he’s flanked by a pair of emerging talents in Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian. That trio gives Denver a fighting chance against New England’s versatile receiving corps.
But the concern isn’t just on the perimeter. Tight end Hunter Henry has been a consistent mismatch all year, and Denver has had its share of issues covering tight ends over the middle. That’s an area where the Patriots could look to exploit mismatches, especially on key third downs and red zone opportunities.
Then there’s the run game. Denver’s front seven showed some cracks last week in trying to contain the ground attack. With Henderson and Stevenson both capable of pounding the rock and catching passes out of the backfield, the Broncos will need to stay disciplined in their gap assignments and tackle cleanly in space.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t going to be a game where one side of the ball carries the load. With Bo Nix out, Denver’s offense will need to find rhythm behind Stidham, but just as important is how the defense handles New England’s deep and balanced attack.
The Patriots don’t have a singular superstar who demands double coverage on every snap-but they’ve got a half-dozen guys who can hurt you if you’re not locked in. That kind of depth can wear down a defense over four quarters.
Denver has the personnel to keep things in check, especially in the secondary. But if the front seven can’t hold up against the run or if Hunter Henry starts to get loose over the middle, it could be a long afternoon.
The Broncos have never lost a playoff game at home to the Patriots. If they want to keep that streak alive and punch their ticket to the Super Bowl, they’ll need their most complete defensive performance of the season.