2026 AFC Championship Sport odds, predictions: Broncos vs. Patriots picks from knowledgeable on 58-38 run

The 2026 AFC Championship Sport will welcome again some convention powers who’ve been away for a number of years because the top-seeded Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots on Sunday. These franchises rank within the high three of all-time AFC title recreation appearances, however that is simply the second NFL playoff look for Denver since its 2015 Tremendous Bowl run. The Patriots, in the meantime, have quickly rebuilt underneath first-year coach and franchise legend Mike Vrabel, and they’re set to return to the AFC title recreation for the primary time since 2018. Jarrett Stidham will begin at quarterback for Denver after Bo Nix broke his ankle within the divisional spherical. 

Kickoff from Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive is ready for 3 p.m. ET. New England is a 4.5-point highway favourite within the newest Patriots vs. Broncos odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/underneath is 43.5. Earlier than making any Broncos vs. Patriots picks, make sure you take a look at the NFL playoff predictions from SportsLine’s Bruce Marshall.

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For years Vegas-based Bruce Marshall was synonymous with The Gold Sheet, the famed sports activities betting publication. With a background in play-by-play work and sports activities data whereas in school, Bruce joined TGS in 1981 when employed by the legendary Mort Olshan and served as government editor for a few years. Marshall has crushed his NFL picks, going 58-38-2 (+1494) in his final 98 NFL in opposition to the unfold picks. Anyone following his NFL betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting websites may have seen sturdy returns.    

Now, Marshall has set his sights on Broncos vs. Patriots. You possibly can go to SportsLine now to see the picks. Listed here are the NFL odds and developments for Patriots vs. Broncos:

Why the Patriots can cowl

New England has a golden alternative to advance to the Tremendous Bowl thanks largely to Nix’s harm. The hypothetical lookahead traces for this recreation had Denver listed as a small favourite, so Nix’s harm actually modified the outlook in a serious means. The Patriots have dealt with the Chargers and Texans with out an excessive amount of issue, defeating each by double digits. The Pats have additionally been beating market expectations all season as they led the NFL with a 13-5-1 file in opposition to the unfold, they usually have been 7-1 ATS on the highway. Denver, in the meantime, went simply 8-10 ATS this season. See which crew to again at SportsLine. 

Why the Broncos can cowl

Stidham is a reliable backup who began a number of video games for Sean Payton in 2023, so the drop off won’t be as massive as the chances shift is indicating. Denver also can lean on a stout protection that ranked second within the NFL in whole protection and third in scoring protection this season. Denver’s general unfold numbers aren’t as sturdy as New England’s, however the Broncos have been 5-1 ATS as an underdog and 3-0 ATS as a house underdog, and now they’re getting greater than a subject purpose in one of many league’s hardest locations to play. See which crew to again at SportsLine.

Learn how to make Broncos vs. Patriots picks

Marshall goes Over on the full. He is additionally discovered a vital x-factor that has him leaping throughout one facet of the unfold. You possibly can solely get his choose at SportsLine. 

So who covers in Patriots vs. Broncos, and what vital x-factor do you should find out about? Go to SportsLine now to see which facet of the unfold to leap on, all from the knowledgeable who’s on a scorching 58-38 run on NFL unfold picks, and discover out.