The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos will soon face off again for a spot in Super Bowl LX. Ten years ago, on January 24, 2016, at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, the Broncos won a close AFC Championship game 20-18 over the Patriots. That match sent Denver to Super Bowl 50 and marked a key point in NFL history.
Background
Both teams entered the game with strong records. The Patriots finished the regular season at 12-4, with a 5-3 record away from home. The Broncos also went 12-4 but had a solid 6-2 mark at home. Peyton Manning led Denver, while Tom Brady quarterbacked New England in a matchup of NFL stars.
The game took place on a cold afternoon. Denver's defense, known for its strength that year, faced a Patriots offense that had powered through the season. Fans packed the stadium, and millions watched on CBS across the country. This was the second big playoff meeting between these teams in three years, after Denver's 26-16 win in 2014.
NFL standings showed tight races in their divisions. In the AFC East, New England topped Buffalo and others. In the AFC West, Denver led over teams like Kansas City. The winner would head to Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, California, against the NFC champion.
Key Details
The score stayed tight from start to finish. In the first quarter, New England scored 6 points, but Denver answered with 7. The second quarter saw Denver pull ahead with 10 points to the Patriots' 3, making it 17-9 at halftime. The third quarter was quiet for Denver, who scored nothing, while New England added 3 points.
The fourth quarter decided it all. The Patriots scored 6 more points but failed on a key two-point conversion try. Denver kicked a field goal for the final 20-18 win. Total yards favored New England at 336 to 244, but Denver turned the ball over less with one to New England's two.
Game Stats Breakdown
- First downs: Patriots 20, Broncos 12
- Penalties: Patriots 7 for 53 yards, Broncos 7 for 51 yards
- Third-down conversions: Patriots 2 of 15, Broncos 6 of 17
Denver's defense stopped New England's late push. A failed two-point attempt sealed the Broncos' trip to the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning ran for key yards, but the defense carried the team.
Viewership numbers were huge. The game drew a 29.3 rating and 53.3 million viewers on CBS. That was up 7% from the year before and the most for an early AFC title game ever. It peaked at 62.9 million viewers in the final stretch. This beat the NFC game later that day.
"Peyton Manning is off and running… all the way to the Super Bowl, and he has the Broncos' defense to thank." – ESPN report after the game
That 2016 season, Denver allowed few points overall. Their defense ranked high, holding opponents to low scores. New England had a strong passing game but struggled on third downs that day.
What This Means
This game changed paths for both teams. Denver went on to Super Bowl 50, where they beat Carolina 24-10 for the title. Manning retired after that win. For New England, the loss ended a strong run but they bounced back with Super Bowl wins in 2017 and 2019.
The matchup highlighted defense's role in playoffs. Denver's unit, led by Von Miller, earned Super Bowl MVP honors later. It showed how a strong defense can beat a high-powered offense even in a low-scoring game.
Viewership set benchmarks. 53.3 million watchers made it one of the top conference championships ever. It topped records from 30 years back and proved big rivalries draw crowds no matter the time slot.
Ten years later, as these teams meet again, players from that game are gone. Current rosters feature new stars, but the memory lingers. The 20-18 score reminds everyone how playoffs can turn on one play, like that failed two-point try.
Trends from 2016 extended beyond football. Pop culture buzzed with NFL talk that winter. Shows and social media lit up with game highlights. Denver's win boosted local pride, while Patriots fans waited for the next chance.
For the NFL, it reinforced the AFC's draw. High ratings helped networks and the league plan bigger broadcasts. Today, with streaming options, numbers have grown, but that CBS audience still stands out.
Looking at team paths since, New England shifted after Brady left in 2020. Denver has cycled through quarterbacks post-Manning. Yet both remain contenders, setting up this rematch with fresh stakes.
The tight score and defensive stand defined the game. It was a battle of wills, with Denver holding firm at home. As fans gear up for the next chapter, the 2016 clash offers lessons in resilience and execution under pressure.
