Patriots vs. Broncos for the AFC Championship: What You Need to Know

By DANIEL LIBON (Patch Staff)

TEWKSBURY, MA - The New England Patriots will play for their ninth AFC championship Sunday afternoon when they face the Denver Broncos Sunday afternoon at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

The Patriots will play in their fifth consecutive AFC Championship Game, with only the 1973-77 Oakland Raiders matching the feat.

The main storyline on the field will be the Tom Brady - Peyton Manning showdown, the 17th between the two quarterbacks. In the playoffs, Brady and Manning have split their four games against each other, with Manning holding a 2-1 record against the Patriots in the AFC Championship.

Overall, Brady holds an 11-5 record against the Manning-led Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.

A win by New England would put the team in a three-way tie with Dallas and Pittsburgh for the most Super Bowl appearances.

To help you get ready for the game, here is what you need to know;

BROADCAST INFORMATION

KICKOFF TIME: 3:05 p.m.

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by CBS and can be seen locally on WBZ-TV Channel 4 in Boston. Jim Nantz will handle play-by-play duties with Phil Simms as the color analyst. Tracy Wolfson and Evan Washburn will work the sidelines.

LOCAL RADIO: 98.5 FM, The Sports Hub, is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis.

NATIONAL RADIO: 93.7 FM, WEEI, will broadcast the national feed from Westwood One. Kevin Harlan will call the game alongside Dan Fouts and Boomer Esiason with Mark Malone providing sideline analysis.

THE POINT SPREAD

The Patriots are favored by three and a half points, according to Bovada.