The AFC Championship might feature two teams that we could have predicted being here, but there is a major wrinkle that could derail one of these teams quickly. The Patriots and the Broncos both have had incredible seasons, finishing as the top two teams in the AFC. It makes sense that they are here, especially after incredible finishes last week. Here’s our 2026 AFC Conference Championship Game Preview.
The Wrinkle
We can’t talk about this game without immediately addressing the elephant in the room. Bo Nix is out. The Broncos and the Bills went to overtime and Nix fractured his ankle on one of the last snaps that he played in the game. It was a shocking development just minutes after seeing the Broncos celebrate on the field and in the locker room. They went from the highest high to the lowest low immediately.
Nix played like a real MVP candidate this year. He was excellent and took a massive jump in his second season. He is the heart and soul of that team and now they are without him.
What to Watch For
Broncos: The obvious here is Jarrett Stidham. He will be starting in place of Nix in this game. He hasn’t thrown a pass in a game in two years. He hasn’t started a game since 2023. So how will all this go down? Your guess is probably as good as mine. This is an impossible situation for Stidham to have to enter. There is no sugarcoating it.
Patriots: This is the biggest test of Drake Maye’s career. He is 2-0 in the playoffs, but this is the best defense he has faced in the postseason and the biggest stage he has ever played on. One of two things will happen. He will shrink and the moment will be too big, or he will ball out and cement himself as the next winning Patriots QB.
The Keys
Broncos: Score on defense. This is easier said than done. This doesn’t mean the Broncos need multiple pick-sixes or scoop and scores. Those just don’t come so easily. But they will absolutely need to force turnovers, give the ball to their offense in NE territory and make it easy on the offense.
Patriots: Make life hell for Stidham. This is pretty much as good of a chance as the Pats will have at making it to the Super Bowl. They are taking on the 1-seed without their QB. They didn’t have to face Mahomes or Jackson or Allen in these playoffs. Now they get to skip out on Nix. Make life rough for Stidham and shut down their offense.
Prediction
Maybe this would be different under other circumstances, but not with Nix out of the game. Patriots 26 Broncos 14