The New England Patriots are on to Denver.
The Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-16 Sunday night in the final AFC Divisional Playoff, meaning the Patriots now know their opponent for next week’s AFC Championship Game.
New England will travel to Denver next Sunday to face quarterback Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game for the second time in three seasons. The Patriots lost the 2013 AFC Championship Game in Denver, 26-16.
The Patriots lost to the Broncos in Week 12 this season in Denver backup QB Brock Osweiler’s second career start, but next Sunday’s matchup should look a bit different. The Patriots were without injured wide receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, cornerback Justin Coleman and linebacker Jamie Collins against the Broncos that first time in Denver. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower left the game with an injury in the second quarter and didn’t return, while tight end Rob Gronkowski was injured in the final minutes of regulation and also didn’t come back.
And, of course, the Broncos were without Manning.
The Patriots lost in overtime, 30-24, when Broncos running back C.J. Anderson broke off a 48-yard touchdown run. It was New England’s first defeat of the season and began a streak of four losses in a six-game stretch to finish the regular season.
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
