What is your confidence level for the AFC Championship Game?

ALP · Jan 22, 2026

If we lose in the AFCCG to a guy who hasn’t started a game in years and didn’t expect to even see the field until the final play of their latest win, this team is not at all who I have come to think they are this year

It’s the nfl, anything can happen any week, but we should absolutely win this game relatively comfortably

It would be nice to get a playoff win in Denver as well after all this time

ALP · Jan 22, 2026

BennyBledsoe said:
Going against a team with its starting QB on the sideline SHOULD be a win.

SHOULD be.

But yeah, hi, I remember going against the Eagles and Nick Bleeping Foles (his official middle name).

Not really the same. Nick was practically a co starter for that team that year

Joey007 · Jan 22, 2026

I’m in the vast majority here. Confident if we play clean.

We get into trouble though if the turnovers don’t get cleaned up, and if Stidham plays a clean efficient game.

My one concern is that Denver actually has a good OL, and we won’t be able to get the same pressure we have the last couple weeks. We feasted on pretty poor OL’s.

reflexblue · Jan 22, 2026

festy1986 said:
There is no way you can justify a loss here considering all the circumstances.

I think the pats have only won there a couple of times in the last fifty years, winning there would be monumental no matter what the circumstance. Mile high has been the patriots house of horrors for the last five decades.

StockingAnarchyNumber12 · Jan 22, 2026

First things first. This season was a success and a loss here wouldn’t change that. Final four and a game away from the AFCCG. However, just win. You have no idea if you’ll be back next year or in the next five years. With that said, I think we win but there’s always an off chance Denver wins too. I’m not super confident but I’m confident and I believe in this team.

TheRainMaker · Jan 22, 2026

Denver's defense still concerns me. I'm not making the same mistake I did in 2015 where I thought NE was going to take care of them - even with their injuries. Pats can't allow Stidham to get comfortable early like they did with Manning where he put up 14 straight points. Nobody including the Pats D thought Manning was going to be so aggressive early.

If the Pats D plays aggressive from the get go and the offense don't turn the ball over, the Pats should win by 10 points. If they turn it over as many times as they did last Sunday, I'm going to sweat like I did against the Texans. That game felt like it was never ending.

A Defiant Goose · Jan 22, 2026

I'm gonna be honest my confidence is sky high for the AFC and more toned down if we win and have to play the Seahawks. I think the tough defenses are gonna take their toll on this offense especially the line if we gotta run though the Chargers, Texans, Broncos, and Seahawks. I am thinking funny stuff happens in Denver and they may score more than they should've but eventually we win.

Patriots 28-26

Triumph · Jan 22, 2026

Keyser Söze · Jan 22, 2026

If we don’t implode, no way we lose this game.

PATSYLICIOUS · Jan 22, 2026

Same as with the chargers and Texans. I feel like all 3 are great opponents who could top us in certain cases but we are going to be better over 60 minutes. Vrabel will have the guys ready, hard to not have confidence in him and Maye. Wouldnt be suprised to see a slow start but they’ll settle in.

PatsWickedPissah · Jan 22, 2026

I do not worry about games as much post BB & Brady. Then I wanted every SB for NFL Legacy.
Now everything is gravy. We should beat Denver Sunday.

condon84 · Jan 22, 2026

If we play a clean game we are most likely headed to the SB.

Double TE · Jan 22, 2026

Crowd noise and altitude will play a factor. Hopefully they stack the line and force Stidham to beat them through the air. Blitz frequently, watch for screens to Harvey, Gonzo on Sutton, see if Mims and LJH can beat you. On O, please limit the TOs, run the ball and use the TEs.

Interestingly if Nix were healthy the line would be Denver minus 1.5 so almost a pick em.

Double TE · Jan 22, 2026

Joey007 said:
I’m in the vast majority here. Confident if we play clean.

We get into trouble though if the turnovers don’t get cleaned up, and if Stidham plays a clean efficient game.

My one concern is that Denver actually has a good OL, and we won’t be able to get the same pressure we have the last couple weeks. We feasted on pretty poor OL’s.

Except that just means they will blitz more aka send more than they can block so their rookie back will have to protect and they are weak at C. I am curious how well Stidham reads blitzes.

TommyD4207 · Jan 22, 2026

Double TE said:
Crowd noise and altitude will play a factor. Hopefully they stack the line and force Stidham to beat them through the air. Blitz frequently, watch for screens to Harvey, Gonzo on Sutton, see if Mims and LJH can beat you. On O, please limit the TOs, run the ball and use the TEs.

Interestingly if Nix were healthy the line would be Denver minus 1.5 so almost a pick em.

That actually is a pick 'em these days. 1.5 is the home-field advantage line now.

Water Boy · Jan 22, 2026

Denver reasons for optimism
Payton's ability to coach up QBs and play calling
O-line in pass pro
Mile High crowd homefield advantage
Excellent pass rush
Maye's fumblitis

New England reasons for optimism
Undefeated on the road
Maye's explosive play potential
Better offensive weapons
Coaching staff's familiarity with Stidham
Defense close to full health and playing lights out recently

jal · Jan 22, 2026

Denver's defense is going to come out with a lot of energy as they know it all rests on them, plus they are at home. We will have to be steady and patient early on and avoid digging a hole with turnovers.

If we can stuff their run game and spin the dial on coverage we will likely frustrate their offense as well. Which means Denver's defense may gas itself out after the first half.

We just need to keep it clean and our overall quality should win out by the second half. We definitely don't want this to end up being close in the 4th as our defense will likely get tired by the end due to the altitude, which would allow Denver to start running the ball effectively (the one thing we CANNOT have happen on defense). If we put Denver in a position to need to throw the ball often then it's probably lights out for them.

TommyD4207 · Jan 22, 2026

jal said:
Denver's defense is going to come out with a lot of energy as they know it all rests on them, plus they are at home. We will have to be steady and patient early on and avoid digging a hole with turnovers.

If we can stuff their run game and spin the dial on coverage we will likely frustrate their offense as well. Which means Denver's defense may gas itself out after the first half.

We just need to keep it clean and our overall quality should win out by the second half. We definitely don't want this to end up being close in the 4th as our defense will likely get tired by the end due to the altitude, which would allow Denver to start running the ball effectively (the one thing we CANNOT have happen on defense). If we put Denver in a position to need to throw the ball often then it's probably lights out for them.

I'd expect Josh McDaniels to have a lot of delay and misdirection stuff on the script. Make those guys overpursue, because they're going to be amped up early.

There will be a lot of pressure on Jared Wilson, specifically - he needs to play a lot better in this one.

Foxypats · Jan 22, 2026

I went with 50/50. I don’t care if it’s Stiddy playing or Nix.
Denver has a serious home advantage, their D is good and no matter what, I am never over confident. This could go either way and I will be very nervous before the game !!!!!

maust · Jan 22, 2026

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What is your confidence level for the AFC Championship Game?

What is your confidence level for the AFC Championship Game?

There's literally no way the Patriots can lose.

I'm very confident, but think we could lose if everything goes wrong.

I'm mostly confident, as long as we play a clean game.

I'm 50/50, it could go either way.

I'm mostly pessimistic, We'll be lucky to win.

I'm very pessimistic, we only win if everything goes wrong for the Broncos

There's literally no way the Patriots can win.

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