Despite a lackluster performance in the NFL, the New England Patriots regained some regularity by advancing to the AFC Championship Game.
The Patriots continued their title hunt with a 28-16 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday. They will compete for the division title against the Denver Broncos this Sunday at Mile High.
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New England’s return to the big stage continues a long-running trend. The Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs have now played in the past 15 AFC Championship Games.
However, this will be the first game without either Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes.
One of these two titans has competed for the AFC title every year since Ben Roethlisberger’s Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Jets in 2011. Brady then led the Patriots to eight straight AFC Championship Game appearances, including two losses to Peyton Manning’s Broncos.
In Mahomes’ first postseason as the starting quarterback, New England defeated Kansas City to qualify for Super Bowl LII. Mahomes and Andy Reid defeated Mike Vrabel’s Tennessee Titans in the subsequent AFC Championship Game and shockingly missed the 2025 playoffs after five comebacks.
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Kansas City’s absence seemed to create an opportunity for other AFC contenders hungry for a title shot, but New England has resurfaced behind Vrabel and Derek Meyer. The Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Chargers and Texans twice on defense at home to win the AFC Championship for the 16th time.
New England could win its record-tying 12th AFC title if it beats the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The game airs live on CBS at 3 p.m. ET.
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