The Denver Broncos will face the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship on Sunday. This game marks the sixth time that both teams have played in the postseason. So far, Denver is 4-1 all-time against New England in the playoffs, and they are still undefeated at home against the Patriots in the postseason. As a result, fans will be watching closely to see if the Broncos can extend that impressive streak.
Broncos Look To Stay Undefeated Against The Patriots At Home In The Playoffs
First Playoff Matchup: 1986 AFC Divisional Game
In their first-ever playoff meeting, the Broncos won 22-17, advancing to the AFC Championship, where they beat the Cleveland Browns 23-20. However, they ultimately lost Super Bowl XXI to the New York Giants 39-20. This early matchup set the tone for a long-standing postseason rivalry between the two teams.
Second Playoff Matchup: 2005 AFC Divisional Game
Nearly two decades later, the Broncos again defeated the Patriots in the playoffs, winning 27-13 to advance to the AFC Championship. Unfortunately, they lost 34-17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that went on to win Super Bowl XL. Despite the loss, the Broncos demonstrated that they could consistently challenge New England in high-stakes games.
Third Playoff Matchup: 2013 AFC Championship Game
This time, both teams met for the first time in the AFC Championship. The Broncos won 26-16 to advance to Super Bowl XLVII, where they fell 43-8 to the Seattle Seahawks. Even with the Super Bowl defeat, the victory reinforced Denver’s ability to compete against the Patriots on the playoff stage.
Fourth Playoff Matchup: 2015 AFC Championship Game
In their second and most recent AFC Championship, the Broncos edged the Patriots 20-18, punching their ticket to Super Bowl 50. There, they defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 to bring the Lombardi Trophy back home to Denver for the third time. Looking ahead, the Broncos have a chance to remain undefeated against the Patriots at home in the playoffs, which would result in another Super Bowl appearance. With a history of tight contests, fans can expect another thrilling matchup this Sunday.