This one has Super Bowl-sized implications: The Patriots and Broncos are set for a showdown on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. The NFL on CBS presentation will air live on CBS, and stream live on Paramount+.
Read on for all the info and details you need to watch and stream the Patriots-Broncos game live.
When is the Patriots vs. Broncos game?
The Patriots vs. Broncos game is scheduled for Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3 PM ET. See below for all the tune-in details.
Patriots vs. Broncos AFC Championship Game
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026
- Time: 3 PM ET
- Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
- Channel: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+
To get the full postseason picture, check out the NFL playoff schedule, and get our guide on how to watch the 2026 NFL playoffs.
What channel is the Patriots vs. Broncos game on?
The Patriots vs. Broncos game is set to air on your local CBS channel. You can tune in the action on your TV by using cable, satellite, and/or a digital antenna.
How to stream Patriots vs. Broncos live on Paramount+?
You can stream Patriots vs. Broncos live on Paramount+ with a Paramount+ subscription (any plan — either the Paramount+ Essential plan, or the Paramount+ Premium plan), and from your phone, tablet, smart TV, and/or device via the Paramount+ app.
Visit the Paramount+ Help Center to learn more about Paramount+ plans and pricing, and to get a list of supported devices.
Can I watch Patriots vs. Broncos live without cable?
Yes, you can watch Patriots vs. Broncos live without cable. Here are two ways: One, tune your set to your local CBS station, and, with the help of a digital antenna, watch the free, over-the-air broadcast on TV; and, two, stream the CBS broadcast on Paramount+ via your phone, tablet, smart TV, and/or device with the Paramount+ app. (Subscription required.)
What’s at stake for the Patriots and Broncos?
No less than a berth in Super Bowl LX is at stake for the Patriots and Broncos. The winning team advances as the AFC champion to the ultimate game; the loser sees its run in the NFL playoffs come to an abrupt end.
The Patriots are in their first AFC Championship Game since after the 2018 season – and the close of the Tom Brady era in New England. As for the Broncos, they’re back on the stage for the first time since Peyton Manning got them to the AFC Championship Game after the 2015 season.
Head coach Mike Vrabel’s Patriots entered the postseason as the AFC’s No. 2 seed. The AFC East champs arrive at the AFC Championship Game thanks to home wins over the Chargers in the Wild Card round, and the Texans in the Divisional round. After a two-fumble performance against the Chargers, second-year quarterback Drake Maye showed a hot hand in a snowy game against the Texans, passing for three touchdowns.
The Broncos, meanwhile, head into the AFC Championship Game fresh off a huge overtime win over Josh Allen and the Bills – and a huge loss to their offense. Though it wasn’t apparent on the field, Bo Nix, the Broncos’ own standout second-year QB, broke his ankle in the second-to-last play of the Divisional round game. Head coach Sean Payton has now tapped career backup Jarrett Stidham to lead the AFC’s No. 1 seed into the Patriots showdown. Stidham is in his third season with the AFC West squad; he last threw a pass in 2023.
As of publication, the Patriots were 5.5-point favorites to score the road win against the Broncos.
Heading into Sunday, the Patriots and Broncos have met five times in the postseason; the Broncos hold the series edge, with four wins, including their last meet-up, which came when Manning’s Broncos downed Brady’s Pats in the 2016 AFC Championship Game, en route to winning Super Bowl 50.
