The Denver Broncos lost their leader in Bo Nix last week and will host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. With the Super Bowl berth on the line, they will roll with Jarrett Stidham
at quarterback on a day with temperatures forecasted in the teens and wind chill down near zero degrees. It should be a classic old-school type defensive game.
Both teams finished tied for the best record in the AFC, so it should be no surprise that both are now ready to duel it out for the conference title. While it hurts to have Nix out for the season, there is hope this team can rally around Stidham and shock the NFL world on Sunday. They are playing with house money, so no better time to go all-in.
Game Overview
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots
Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. Mile High time
Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado
ATS Betting Lines: New England -4.5
Moneyline Odds: Denver +198 / New England -240
Over/Under: 42.5
Note: All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Broncos vs Patriots Score Predictions
Collectively, our Mile High Report staff is predicting a Broncos 22-17 win at home over the Patriots to advance to the Super Bowl. A little collective call-back to the playoff win Denver had over this team back in the 80s. Here’s how each of us predicted things would go individually:
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Broncos 20, Patriots 18
We going back to the last time the Broncos rallied around a quarterback. In early 2016, it was around Hall of Fame goat Peyton Manning and in 2026 it will be around perennial backup, Jarrett Stidham. I believe in this team and they have the talent on defense to make this a close, hard fought type game. Give me that 2015 repeat! – Tim Lynch
Broncos 17, Patriots 16
History is on Denver’s side in these ones as they’ve never lost a home playoff game to New England. They also boast the best record in conference championship games out of any team. They may be relying on Jarrett Stidham to pull through, but let’s not pretend like the Broncos aren’t annoyingly good at making games ugly and dragged out. The defense is going to have their way with the Patriot offensive line, giving more opportunities for the offense to put points up. It’ll be lower scoring, but a win nonetheless. – Ross Allen
Broncos 18, Patriots 13
The Denver Broncos have won games this season scoring fewer than 20 points four times. Ross mentioned it. They can win ugly. To win against the Patriots, it’s going to have to be ugly. The defense is going to have a chance to make things muddy for Drake Maye, who struggled against a good Houston defense. Sean Payton will draw up an offensive scheme that helps Jarrett Stidham. This will be a boring, field position battle. Denver does it again. – Adam Malnati
Broncos 30, Patriots 20
It’s Stiddy time!
Stidham takes over for the injured Bo Nix and has an absolutely flawless performance that will go down in the history books as a top postseason moment for the Broncos. He throws for 250 yards, 2 touchdowns, and leads the Broncos to the Super Bowl. JK Dobbins tops 100 yards and finds the end zone, Evan Engram scores a touchdown, and Marvelous Marvin scores an explosive touchdown as well.
On defense, Nik Bonitto sacks Drake Maye 2 times, forces a fumble, and the Broncos total 7 sacks. Talanoa Hufanga gets a big interception, and Ja’Quan McMillian puts the final nail in the coffin with another game-ending INT. The Broncos win and are heading to the Super Bowl. – Scotty Payne
Broncos 23, Patriots 20
he Broncos defense is going to be the the difference in the game on Sunday. That unit will make life miserable for Maye with consistent pressure, hits, and sacks. But the defense will also do a much better job of stopping the run. On offense, the return of Dobbins and Wattenburg changes everything. The Broncos will be able to run the ball consistently, control time of possession, and, thus, the game. And it will open the passing game for Stidham to take some shots and make plays. Payton and the coaching staff will have Denver prepared and ready for the moment. And the Broncos will deliver. – Ian St. Clair
Broncos 24, Patriots 13
In truth, I think this game could have a ton of variance to it. Both teams can generate turnovers. Both offenses can score. The Denver defense is going to make or break this one. I lean toward them being a complete menace and earning the AFC Championship. – Sadaraine
Broncos 23, Patriots 20
The Broncos have done the unthinkable and advanced to the AFC Championship Game just two years after hitting the reset button due to the failed Russell Wilson era. All of Broncos Country should be ecstatic with what the team has accomplished this season. But they aren’t done yet. They’ve got one last summit to climb before punching their ticket to Super Bowl 60. I have a feeling Denver is going to get the job done in another hard-fought nail biter. Just as they have done all year long. – Chris Hart
