Patriots And Broncos Set For High-Stakes AFC Showdown

As the NFL postseason drama intensifies, all eyes are on the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos, two teams bound for a high-stakes AFC Championship clash on January 25, 2026. The Patriots, led by quarterback and MVP candidate Drake Maye alongside head coach Mike Vrabel, have stormed back into familiar playoff territory. Their 28-16 victory over the Houston Texans in the divisional round has propelled them to their 16th AFC title game in franchise history—a remarkable feat for a team that once seemed adrift following Tom Brady's departure.

Yet, the Patriots aren’t the only storyline swirling around the league this week. In a twist that’s got social media buzzing, NFL legend Tom Brady is back in the headlines—not as a player, but as a power broker, style icon, and potential coaching influencer. Brady, now a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, is set to attend the College Football Championship in Florida with Raiders general manager John Spytek. The duo’s trip coincides with the Raiders’ ongoing search for a new head coach after a disappointing, league-worst campaign.

According to league sources, the Raiders have cast a wide net, interviewing a dozen candidates by January 19, 2026. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, celebrated for his offensive flair and quarterback tutelage, is scheduled for a high-profile interview in Florida. Meanwhile, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero stands out as the only candidate to receive a second interview—a clear sign of the organization’s serious interest. Evero’s defensive acumen and leadership have kept him firmly in the mix, with his follow-up interview also set in Florida on January 19.

While the Raiders’ leadership evaluates their future from the College Football Championship stands, they’ll also be getting an in-person look at Fernando Mendoza, the quarterback widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. For a franchise seeking a dramatic turnaround, the synergy of scouting and coaching interviews could prove pivotal.

Back in New England, the Patriots’ resurgence is drawing comparisons to their glory days under Brady. The numbers speak volumes: 16 AFC title game appearances, with 11 wins in their last 15 tries. This year marks only the third time the Patriots have reached the conference championship without Brady at the helm. Head coach Mike Vrabel, a familiar face in Foxborough, is no stranger to the postseason spotlight. As a head coach, this will be his second AFC title game appearance—his first came with the Tennessee Titans in the 2019 season. As a player, Vrabel was a postseason fixture, going 4-0 with the Patriots and 0-1 with the Steelers.

For quarterback Drake Maye, the moment is especially poignant. At just 13 years old, he watched as the Patriots last faced the Broncos in Denver for the AFC title game on January 24, 2016—a day when New England fell short, 20-18. Now, Maye finds himself at the center of a new era, tasked with overcoming a daunting historical trend: the Patriots are 0-4 all-time in playoff games against the Broncos in Denver.

Adding to the intrigue, the Broncos have been rocked by adversity. Starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending fractured ankle just before the team’s game-winning field goal against the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round. With Nix sidelined, the Broncos are turning to 29-year-old backup Jarrett Stidham, who, coincidentally, was drafted 133rd overall by the Patriots in 2019. Stidham now has the chance to play hero against his former team, with a Super Bowl berth on the line.

The quarterback situation in Denver has even prompted wild speculation. Former NFL star Richard Sherman took to X, suggesting, “One call [Sean Payton] could try to make that may break the internet is Brady. Doubt he would do it but boy would that make for great TV!” The idea of the 48-year-old Brady suiting up for the Broncos may be far-fetched, but it’s captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike. Still, reality dictates that Stidham will get the nod, as the Broncos prepare for their toughest test yet.

Brady, for his part, has been making headlines off the field. On January 18, during FOX’s NFC Divisional Playoff broadcast between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, he posted a close-up of a Rolex Daytona with a rainbow-diamond bezel, valued at about $480,000, on his Instagram Story. The watch created a stir both online and on-air, reinforcing Brady’s growing status as a style icon in his post-playing days. This isn’t a one-off: earlier this month, he sported a rose gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual LandDweller worth over $50,000, and last February, he wore a custom Jacob & O. Caviar Tourbillon valued at nearly $740,000 while calling Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. His watch collection, auctioned by Sotheby’s in December 2024, generated millions, with a rare Rolex Paul Newman Daytona John Player Special selling for $1.1 million.

Brady’s next chapter is already taking shape. On January 15, he announced he would leave FOX after the NFC Championship to become chief wellness officer at eMed, a digital health platform. Sundays, for Brady, are no longer defined by touchdowns and two-minute drills, but by moments that reflect his evolving legacy—whether it’s a high-profile watch, a strategic ownership move with the Raiders, or a new leadership role in health tech.

Meanwhile, the Patriots enter the AFC title game as 5.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM, making the Broncos the biggest home underdogs as a No. 1 seed in a conference title game since 1970. The stakes could hardly be higher. If the Patriots can finally break their Denver playoff curse, they’ll punch their ticket back to the Super Bowl—a feat that seemed improbable just a few seasons ago. For the Broncos, it’s a chance to defy the odds and write a new chapter in franchise lore, with Stidham at the helm and a fan base hungry for glory.

As the NFL’s postseason drama unfolds, the stories of redemption, reinvention, and rivalry are everywhere—from the Patriots’ playoff renaissance to the Broncos’ quarterback quandary, and from Tom Brady’s style statements to his growing influence behind the scenes. The AFC Championship game is set, but the only thing certain is that football fans are in for one unforgettable ride.