The Broncos are still standing-barely. After a wild overtime finish in the AFC Divisional Round, Denver punched its ticket to the AFC Championship Game with a 33-30 win over the Bills. It was the kind of game that keeps fans on the edge of their seats and leaves social media buzzing, especially with a few officiating calls that raised more than a few eyebrows.
But the win came at a cost. Bo Nix, the rookie quarterback who helped guide Denver to this deep playoff run, suffered a broken ankle on the penultimate play of the game.
He’s done for the postseason. That’s a brutal blow for a team that’s been riding his steady hand and poise under pressure all season long.
Now, the Broncos turn to Jarrett Stidham-the next man up. Stidham, who began his NFL journey as a fourth-round pick by the Patriots back in 2019, will now face his former team on the biggest stage of his career. It’s a full-circle moment, and one that adds a little extra intrigue to an already high-stakes showdown.
The stakes? A trip to Super Bowl 60.
If the Broncos can get past New England, they’ll be back in the big game for the first time since their Super Bowl 50 win in 2016. That’s a long drought for a proud franchise, and the Mile High faithful will be out in full force this Sunday, hoping to see their team take that final step.
Here’s what you need to know heading into Championship Sunday.
When and where is the AFC Championship Game?
The Broncos will host the Patriots on Sunday, January 25 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
ET. With the Super Bowl on the line, the atmosphere in Denver is sure to be electric.
CBS will carry the broadcast, with the familiar duo of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call. Tracy Wolfson and Evan Washburn will handle sideline reporting duties. For fans without cable, the game will also be available to stream on Paramount+ and Fubo, which includes CBS in its channel lineup and is currently offering a free trial.
How did we get here? A quick look at the playoff path
The Broncos’ road to the AFC title game has been anything but easy. They survived a thriller against the Bills in the Divisional Round, needing overtime to seal the deal. Before that, they had the weekend off thanks to a first-round bye.
The Patriots, meanwhile, have been grinding it out. They knocked off the Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card Round and then handled the Texans 28-16 in the Divisional Round. It hasn’t always been flashy, but it’s been effective-classic Patriots football.
On the NFC side, the Seahawks and Rams will square off in Seattle for the conference crown. The Seahawks are coming off a dominant 41-6 win over the 49ers, while the Rams edged the Bears in overtime, 20-17.
What’s next?
The winners of Sunday’s games will meet in Super Bowl 60, set for Sunday, February 8 in Santa Clara, California. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
But for now, all eyes are on Denver. Can the Broncos rally behind Stidham and keep the dream alive? Or will the Patriots, led by a defense that’s been peaking at the right time, spoil the party?
One thing’s for sure: with a Super Bowl berth on the line, we’re in for a heavyweight battle in the Rockies.