The AFC Championship is still days away, but the fireworks have already started-off the field.
It began with a bold message from Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton. When asked if he had anything to say to the home crowd at Empower Field at Mile High, Payton didn’t hold back.
“They’re going to have plenty of rest after this one,” he said, referencing the two-week break before the Super Bowl. Translation: Payton fully expects his team to be playing in Las Vegas.
That kind of confidence doesn’t go unnoticed-especially by the opponent.
Enter Kayshon Boutte. The Patriots wide receiver, never one to shy away from a little back-and-forth, fired back when asked about Payton’s comments. “They can rest in Cancun too at the end of the day,” he said, delivering what instantly became bulletin board material.
Boutte later clarified on social media that he wasn’t trying to stir the pot, just pointing out the obvious stakes of playoff football: win and move on, or lose and start your offseason early. “I was saying it's obviously ‘win or go home’ so you’ll rest regardless,” he posted.
Still, the message was loud and clear. The Patriots aren’t intimidated-and they’re not backing down.
And really, with the way they’ve played this season, why should they? New England entered the year as a team in transition, but behind rookie quarterback Drake Maye, they’ve surged to a 14-3 record.
I was saying its obviously “win or go home” so you’ll rest regardless https://t.co/uYnlUv9MtR
— Kayshon Boutte (@KayshonBoutte1) January 22, 2026
Maye has been electric, throwing for 31 touchdowns and leading an offense that averaged 28.8 points per game. That’s not just good for a first-year QB-that’s elite production, period.
On the other side, the Broncos also finished 14-3, but their path to this point has been anything but smooth. After Bo Nix went down with a season-ending injury in their thrilling 33-30 overtime win over the Bills, Denver turned to Jarrett Stidham. Now, Stidham is tasked with navigating a Patriots defense that finished eighth in total yards allowed-a unit that thrives on pressure and rarely gives up the big play.
So here we are: two 14-3 teams, two different quarterback stories, and one trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Add in a little pregame trash talk, and the stage is fully set.
Whether Broncos fans are celebrating a win and prepping for Vegas, or checking flight prices to Cancun, we’ll find out soon enough. But make no mistake-this one’s going to be a battle.