In the 2025-2026 NFL season, fans witnessed a year full of surprises.
For the first time since the 2013-2014 campaign, the Kansas City Chiefs missed the playoffs, owning an overall 6-11 record.
Not to mention, the New England Patriots and first-year Head Coach Mike Vrabel dethroned the Buffalo Bills and returned to “the Patriots’ way” to become AFC East champions once again.
With the 2025-2026 NFL stretch nearing the end, four teams remain in the postseason with the same goal in mind: reaching the promised land. With that being said, the final step towards Super Bowl LX is crowning new AFC and NFC champions.
In this week’s rendition of Tyler’s Take, I discuss everything fans need to know before watching the AFC Conference Championship matchup.
No. 2 Seed Patriots (14-3) vs. No. 1 Seed Denver Broncos (14-3):
Throughout the 2025-2026 run, the Patriots and Broncos emerged as the top Super Bowl contenders. Along the journey, both franchises experienced their respective challenges but overcame them to achieve greatness.
For the revamped Patriots, running back Rhamondre Stevenson experienced early fumbling issues. Between Weeks 3-5, the 27-year-old mishandled the ball three times. Since then, the former Oklahoma Sooner has not coughed the ball up.
Defensively, cornerback Christian Gonzalez has struggled to stay healthy. While covering wide receiver Stefon Diggs in training camp, Gonzalez suffered a hamstring injury, sidelining him until Week 4. Since then, the former Oregon Duck has not missed a snap.
As for the Broncos, Head Coach Sean Payton needed to replace running back J.K. Dobbins. While facing the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 10, the Texas native sustained a Lisfranc foot injury, requiring surgery. If all goes well, the team will activate the 27-year-old for Sunday’s game against the Patriots.
While Dobbins recovered, RJ Harvey filled the backfield hole. Within 17 regular-season meetings, the rookie rushed for 540 yards for seven touchdowns.
Scouting the Broncos:
To clear the elephant in the room, quarterback Bo Nix endured a fractured right ankle during the second-to-last play versus the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional round last weekend.
In Nix’s absence, backup shot-caller Jarrett Stidham will take charge. However, the last time Stidham performed in a full matchup was in the 2023-2024 campaign.
Defensively, the squad has not conceded much. As the second-best total defense, the Broncos allow slightly over 278 yards per outing. When it comes to opponents scoring, crossing the goal line is no easy job.
On third down conversions, the team ranks No. 2 with a 33.8% success rate of stopping the offense. Not to mention, the Broncos are the best defense in the red zone with a 42.6% touchdown rate.In total, the franchise lets up a little over 18 points per bout, which is the third-fewest in the league.
Scouting the Patriots:
Ever since former Patriots’ gunslinger Tom Brady shipped down south to become a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, a dark cloud loomed over Gillette Stadium until Drake May arrived.
In what is debated as an MVP-caliber performance, the former North Carolina Tar Heel has brought the Patriots back to glory. To finish the 2025-2026 regular season, the 23-year-old threw 4,394 yards for 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Alongside May’s talent, the team’s offseason changes contributed to the Patriots’ success. Starting with the offensive line, the squad ranks No. 11 with a pass-blocking efficiency rating of 86.5%and has conceded only 13 sacks. Compared to the 2024-2025 stretch, the franchise surrendered 33 sacks.
With the No. 4 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft, the Patriots selected the former LSU Tiger Will Campbell and it paid off. In the 22-year-old’s rookie year, he landed as the twelfth-best left tackle, giving up pressure on 6.3% of pass plays.
Despite reviving the offensive line, running the ball has been a weakness for the Patriots in the playoffs.
For the sixth-best rushing team with a total of 2191 yards, Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson have yet to make an endzone appearance. While facing the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round, the backfield duo collectively gained 80 rushing yards.
As for the second round against the Houston Texans, the franchise accumulated 95 rushing yards. Currently, Stevenson averages just under 5 yards while Henderson contributes about 2.6 yards per carry.
Defensively, the Patriots caught fire in the postseason, pressuring every quarterback. Between Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud, the defense has racked up nine sacks for a loss of 58 yards. Additionally, the defensive pressure forced Stroud to throw four interceptions.
Fans can tune into the battle on Sunday, Jan. 25, on CBS. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.