If you just watched the New England Patriots grind out that 28-16 win over the Houston Texans at a freezing Gillette Stadium, you're probably still catching your breath. Honestly, it wasn't pretty. Drake Maye fumbled four times—losing two of them—and the offense looked out of sync for large stretches of the afternoon. But the defense? Man, that unit is the only reason we’re talking about a trophy run right now. Four interceptions off C.J. Stroud is the stuff of nightmares for a young quarterback.
So, the big question on everyone’s mind: who does New England play next?
The answer is officially locked in. The New England Patriots are headed to the Rocky Mountains to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
This isn't just another game. It’s a trip to the high altitude of Empower Field at Mile High with a trip to Super Bowl LX on the line. If you've been following this season, you know the stakes couldn't be higher for Mike Vrabel's squad.
Everything You Need to Know About the AFC Championship
The schedule is set, and you’ll want to clear your calendar for next weekend. Here are the hard details:
- Opponent: Denver Broncos (No. 1 Seed)
- Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 3:00 PM ET (1:00 PM local time in Denver)
- Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
- Broadcast: CBS
It's a classic matchup, but with a weird twist. The Broncos are coming off an overtime thriller against the Buffalo Bills, but they paid a massive price for that win.
The Bo Nix Factor
Here is the part that basically every Pats fan is talking about right now: Denver’s quarterback situation. Bo Nix, who has been stellar for Sean Payton all year, suffered a season-ending ankle injury during the divisional round. That means the Patriots won't be facing the starter.
Instead, it’s going to be Jarrett Stidham under center for Denver.
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There is a sort of poetic irony there, right? Stidham, the former "heir apparent" in New England who never quite took the throne, now stands as the final boss between the Patriots and a Super Bowl berth. Sean Payton has already come out saying the plan will be built around Stidham's specific skill set, but losing a dual-threat like Nix changes the entire geometry of that Denver offense.
Why This Matchup Is Actually Terrifying
On paper, playing a backup quarterback in the conference finals sounds like a gift. But if you’ve watched the Patriots in Denver historically, you know it’s never that simple.
Denver is 4-0 all-time at home against New England in the playoffs. Let that sink in. Even in the peak Brady-Belichick years, the thin air and the crowd noise in Colorado seemed to be the ultimate kryptonite.
The Patriots are currently sitting at a 16-3 record (including the postseason), but they've struggled with consistency. Against Houston, the turnover bug was real. Drake Maye looked like a rookie under pressure, and while he’s the MVP frontrunner for a reason, he cannot afford to put the ball on the turf at Mile High. The Broncos' defense just forced five takeaways against Josh Allen. They are smelling blood.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Christian Gonzalez vs. Courtland Sutton: Gonzalez forced a massive fumble against Houston and has been a shutdown corner all year. He'll need to erase Stidham's favorite deep threat.
- The Pats' Offensive Line vs. Will Anderson's ghost (Wait, wrong team): Actually, they need to worry about Denver's front. The Broncos' pass rush is relentless, and Maye's internal clock needs to be faster than it was on Sunday.
- Rhamondre Stevenson’s Health: He took some big hits against the Texans. If New England can't establish the run to take the pressure off Maye, it’s going to be a long day in the mountains.
What About the New England Revolution?
I know most people asking "who does New England play next" are looking for the pigskin, but the Revs are actually back in action too. It’s preseason mode for the soccer stars.
The Revolution just hammered Sarasota Paradise 6-0 in their preseason opener. If you’re looking for their next match, they play FC Cincinnati on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. It's happening down at the IMG Academy in Florida. It's a good chance to see the new guys like Ethan Kohler and Brooklyn Raines get some minutes before the MLS season officially kicks off in Nashville.
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Actionable Steps for the Big Game
If you're planning on following the Patriots' quest for their first Super Bowl appearance since 2019, here is how to prepare for the AFC Championship:
- Check the Injury Report Early: Keep a close eye on Rhamondre Stevenson’s status throughout the week. His ability to pass protect and run between the tackles is the "secret sauce" for this offense.
- Altitude Prep: If you’re one of the lucky fans heading to Denver, remember that the 5,280-foot elevation is no joke. Hydrate way more than you think you need to.
- Watch the Lines: Early betting odds actually have the Patriots as slight favorites because of the Bo Nix injury, but that line will move as more news comes out about Stidham's chemistry with the first-team offense.
- Secure Your Gear: Expect "AFC East Champions" and "AFC Championship" merch to start flying off the shelves at the ProShop at Patriot Place this week.
The road to Santa Clara and Super Bowl LX officially goes through the Mile High City. It’s Mike Vrabel vs. Sean Payton. The New Era vs. The Old Guard. Sunday can't come soon enough.