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From Bailey to Brady: Broncos, Patriots renew unforgettable playoff rivalry

By January 23, 2026 | updated 9 hours ago

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is sacked by Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) and Malik Jackson (97) during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

The Broncos and New England face off Sunday for the seventh time in the NFL playoffs. This will be the fifth time with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

Here’s a look at the five postseason matchups between Denver and New England:

1986 AFC Divisional

Score: Broncos 22, Patriots 17

When: Jan. 4, 1987

Where: Mile High Stadium

What happened: Broncos quarterback John Elway threw and ran for touchdowns and Denver leaned on its running game with 102 yards from Sammy Winder. Elway, who didn’t have the best game statistically, beat his fellow 1983 draft member, Tony Eason. Eason was sacked six times.

Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, right, intercepts a pass in the endzone intended for New England’s Troy Brown during the third quarter in Denver on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006. Bailey returned the interception 100 yards to the one-yard line to set up a Denver touchdown. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

2005 AFC Divisional

Score: Broncos 27, Patriots 13

When: Jan. 14, 2006

Where: Invesco Field at Mile High

What happened: Tom Brady and the Patriots were the two-time defending Super Bowl champs and Brady was 10-0 in the playoffs to that point. The Broncos forced five turnovers, including a 101-yard interception return by Champ Bailey that set up a touchdown. Quarterback Jake Plummer threw for 197 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos advanced but fell to the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game the following week.

In this Jan. 14, 2012 file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (15) tries to avoid a being tackled by New England Patriots defensive tackle Gerard Warren (98) and Vince Wilfork (75) during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

2011 AFC Divisional

Score: Patriots 45, Broncos 10

When: Jan. 14, 2012

Where: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

What happened: The Patriots’ only postseason win over the Broncos was this rout at home. Tim Tebow and the Broncos rolled into Foxborough after a wild overtime win over the Steelers the week before but were never competitive. Denver was down 35-7 at halftime and 14 plays went for negative yardage.  

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning flashes a thumbs up after the AFC Championship NFL playoff football game against the New England Patriots in Denver, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 26-16 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

2013 AFC Championship

Score: Broncos 26, Patriots 16

When: Jan. 19, 2014

Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High

What happened: Peyton Manning, who threw for 400 yards, and the Broncos dominated Brady and the Patriots. Denver led 20-3 going into the fourth quarter before New England scored some garbage time points. The late Demaryius Thomas had seven catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. Denver advanced to its first Super Bowl since winning Super Bowl XXXIII.

FILE – In this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016 file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning speak to one another following the NFL football AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots in Denver. Tom Brady has been synonymous with the AFC championship for the last two decades. Thirteen times he played for the Lamar Hunt Trophy and nine times he won it. Peyton Manning he bested Manning once but three other times he lost to his nemesis in the conference title game, twice in Denver.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

2015 AFC Championship

Score: Broncos 20, Patriots 18

When: Jan. 24, 2016

Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High

What happened: Manning threw two touchdowns in his final home game, but the defense was the story. Denver sacked Brady four times and hit him 20-plus times in the win. Von Miller had 2.5 sacks and a pick of Brady. Even with the defense dominating the day, the Broncos needed a stop on a 2-point conversion with 12 seconds left to preserve the win and moved on to Super Bowl 50.

Chris schmaedeke

Reporter

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