The New England Patriots are arguably the most successful franchise in the history of the NFL to this point. For nearly 20 years, they enjoyed one of the greatest dynasties the sports world has ever seen.
On Sunday, they will go to Empower Field at Mile High to face the Denver Broncos for a chance to reach their 12th Super Bowl. But they will have to overcome a big hurdle in order to do so.
The Patriots have never won a playoff game in Denver in four tries. Though Bill Belichick and Tom Brady enjoyed an incredible amount of success together, playing in Denver seemed to be the toughest thing for them to do in the nearly two decades they were together.
The Broncos have gotten the better of the all-time matchup, even when Brady was around and now, they will be looking to go to 5-0 at home against the Patriots in the playoffs.
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots postseason history
January 4, 1987: Broncos 22, Patriots 17- Divisional Round
This game featured two quarterbacks from the famed 1983 draft class, John Elway and Tony Eason. Elway threw two interceptions and Eason threw two touchdown passes but the Broncos made enough plays to pull it out late and knock off the defending AFC champions.
January 14, 2006: Broncos 27, Patriots 13- Divisional Round
This was one of the more satisfying victories in Broncos history as the team handed the combination of Brady and Belichick their first-ever postseason defeat. The Patriots were the two-time Super Bowl champs heading into this game and it was the Broncos who thwarted the three-peat.
Champ Bailey's interception of Brady in the end zone and 100-yard return is one of the top highlights in Broncos postseason history.
When Patriots Ben Watson chased down Champ Bailey 100 yards downfield in a playoff game. Pic.twitter.com/fnqM1HLvFk
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) October 30, 2025
January 19, 2014: Broncos 26, Patriots 16- AFC Championship
The Broncos had one of the best offenses in NFL history in 2013 and though the Patriots had their chances to pull off the upset, the Broncos just seemed destined to win it all this year. That was, until they reached Super Bowl XLVIII and were destroyed by the Seattle Seahawks.
January 24, 2016: Broncos 20, Patriots 18- AFC Championship
Two years later, and under much different circumstances, the two teams met again with the right to go to the Super Bowl on the line. The Broncos seemed like they were going to run out of gas in this one and Brady did all he could to will his team to the Super Bowl, throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski with just 12 seconds remaining in the game.
But when they went for the two-point conversion to tie the score, Aqib Talib broke up a pass intended for Julian Edelman and the Broncos intercepted it to seal the win and head to Super Bowl 50, which they won.
The one time the Broncos and Patriots met in the playoffs in New England came after the 2011 regular season, which will forever be known as "Tebowmania". Tebow and the Broncos earned a thrilling win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round but were trounced the following week by the Patriots, 45-10.
READ: Broncos vs. Rams would be only fresh Super Bowl matchup of options remaining
Still, the Pats have never won in the postseason in Denver and the Broncos intend to keep it that way this weekend.
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