Patriots at Broncos in AFC Championship: Ten things to know

Standing in his way is his nemesis; Peyton Manning.

Manning has thrown for more yards and touchdowns than anyone in National Football League history, but he comes to today with his mortality all around him, and that 12-13 playoff record, and just that one Super Bowl win, as if it was all his fault. And a victory would bring him one step closer to potentially following the same path as his current general manager, John Elway: going out like a champion.

The Broncos will host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Sunday in Denver.

Now it seems like the Pats, playing in their fifth straight AFC title game, are ready to get back to the Super Bowl yet again, and give Terrific Tom Brady a chance to win his record-tying fifth SB for a quarterback. Instead, the legendary QB, who could not throw a ball prior to the surgery due to nerve damage, put up over 400 passing yards without an interception en route to his second shot for a Super Bowl ring.

With his core targets active against the Chiefs, Brady looked as comfortable as he has in weeks.

In the defensive department, New England made post 49 sacks in the regular season, second only to Denver in the NFL. That’s because Mile High Stadium does not have a roof. But these are the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots – two franchises built to overcome problems.

Here’s the issue, though: The Patriots still can’t run the ball. “We’re thankful for another opportunity to go into that hostile environment and contribute”. We just had to hold up on the back end. The Patriots have certainly been in that situation before. The tight end stepped in front of Chris Harris Jr. for the catch, and the game came down to one play. “They’re always in my way”. “They’ve got guys who can get after it on the pass rush. That is what I think their legacies will be”, said Myers.

Tom Brady isn’t ideal.

Coach Bill Belichick said players like Edelman with time in the Patriots system can jump right back into the mix.

Patrick Chung and Matthew Slater were the most recent additions to the injury report, but they are probable and questionable respectively. I just hate them.

Manning has had a tough time in the playoffs. Even the players know it.

Edelman fits in the recent storied lineage of Patriots slot receivers. “It’s definitely unique and special”. “They’re always in my way to get what I want”, Wolfe said, via the Denver Post.

The perennial AFC powers will be trying to build upon their storied legacies. The only other team in the Super Bowl era to make five conference championship appearances in a row were the 1973-77 Raiders. Manning will not be barking out defensive plays before every snap.

As for Ware, he may be 33 and in the home stretch of his career, but he’s still playing well. However, this 2015 version of Manning isn’t the same one as the quarterback who made 55 touchdown passes during the 2013 season.

Asked what it’s like to watch the two quarterbacks compete against each other, Ryan said: “You see they’re two great competitors, they’re leaders of their teams”. A whole bunch of guys who felt like we worked hard enough.