Patriots Extend Wild 15-Year Streak by Making AFC Championship Game.

For all the NFL’s unpredictability, the New England Patriots have maintained consistency by advancing to the AFC Championship Game. New England secured a 28-16 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday and will face the Denver Broncos for the conference title at Mile High Stadium. This appearance continues a remarkable streak: either the Patriots or the Kansas City Chiefs has played in every AFC Championship Game over the past 15 seasons. Notably, this will be the first game in that span without star quarterbacks Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes. Since Ben Roethlisberger’s Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Jets in 2011, either Brady or Mahomes has appeared in the AFC title game. Brady led the Patriots to eight consecutive appearances, including two losses to Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos.

Kansas City’s absence this year has created opportunities for other AFC teams. Under head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots have emerged as title contenders, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers and Texans in dominant defensive performances to reach their 16th AFC Championship Game. New England now has the chance to win a record-setting 12th AFC title by defeating Denver. The game is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on CBS.