We have reached the penultimate round of the 2016 NFL playoffs. By day's end, we'll know the participants for Super Bowl 50. The day gets started with the AFC Championship Game, featuring the Denver Broncos hosting the New England Patriots. The game kicks off at 12:05 p.m. PT, airing on CBS with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms calling the game. The game will air via live stream at CBSSports.com.
This marks the 17th matchup between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. This very well could be the last time these two meet up. Brady seems to have some time left, but Manning has struggled this season. The Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, due more to their defense than Manning. I don't think they can win a shootout, so if the Broncos win, the UNDER on the 45-point total would be the likely bet.
The Patriots are a three-point road favorite. They beat the Kansas City Chiefs with relative ease last week, slowing down a Chiefs offense that had been doing some good things leading up to that game. They face a better Broncos defense, so this is not going to be a simple one for them. I think they end up covering, but I do think this will be a relatively close game.
Patriots vs. Broncos
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver
When: Sunday, January 24, 12:05 p.m. PT
TV: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
Radio: Patriots Radio Network | Broncos Radio Network
Online Streaming: CBS Sports
Odds: The Patriots opened as a 2.5-point road favorite. The line climbed to 3.5, but has settled between 3- and 3.5-points, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.
Patriots blog: Pats Pulpit
Broncos blog: Mile High Report