History Shows Broncos and Patriots With Success in Championship Games

The Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots have both been to their share of Super Bowls, which means the both have had great success in the AFC Championship game. Both teams have only lost twice in a game with a Super Bowl berth on the line.

The Broncos are 6-2 in conference championship games. They lost 34-17 in 2005 to the wildcard Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver. The Steelers forced four Denver turnovers in the first half to forge a 24-3 halftime lead that was insurmountable with Jake Plummer at quarterback. The Broncos, by the way, had beaten New England in the divisional round that  year 27-13.

In 1991, the Broncos fell to the top-seeded  Buffalo Bills 10-7 in Buffalo. That Broncos' team coached by Dan Reeves featured John Elway, Shannon Sharpe, Steve Atwater, and Vance Johnson. Broncos' kicker, David Treadwell, who hit the game winning field goal one week earlier with 16 seconds left against Houston in the divisional playoff,  missed three field goals in the game, and Buffalo's only touchdown came on an interception return. Gary Kubiak, playing in his final NFL game, replaced an injured John Elway and led the Broncos to their only touchdown of the game late in the fourth quarter.

New England boasts a 7-2 record in championship games, losing at home last season to the Baltimore Ravens and in 2006 to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts at Indy,

The Broncos lost the Patriots 34-31 in overtime during the  2013 regular season in a game played at New England. The loss was the Bronco's fourth straight loss to the Patriots, and 5th in the last six games.

The Patriots beat the Broncos in the playoffs two years ago 45-10 as Tim Tebow complete just 9 passes in 26 attempts and was sacked five times.

Here's the deal. At kickoff we throw history out the window. Past successes or failures are of no consequence. All that matters is who is ready for some football NOW.