Denver Broncos | Playoffs

"It's always a climb," defensive tackle Malcolm Roach said. "Every season's new. … It's going to be new challenges, but we've got to find a way."

All six players finished the year on Denver's practice squad.

"It was a hard-fought game," Head Coach Sean Payton said, "and we didn't do enough to win it."

The Broncos will look to earn an AFC Championship Game win against the Patriots to advance to Super Bowl LX.

Wattenberg, who is active, started the first 15 games of the season for the Broncos and played every snap before missing the last four weeks.

The Denver Broncos will host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 1 p.m. MT on CBS.

Denver also elevated wide receivers Michael Bandy and Elijah Moore from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Denver holds a 2-0 record in this uniform combination, and the Broncos most recently wore the combination in a Week 15 win over the Green Bay Packers.

"We have a locker room that's full of guys that are ready to take advantage of what's in front of us," wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. "We have a huge opportunity in front of us."

The absence of a game status indicates Bryant will be available to play on Sunday.

Relive the greatest moments from the Broncos' history in previous AFC Championship Games.

Bryant (concussion) recorded three catches for 32 yards in the Broncos' Divisional Round win despite only playing three snaps.

The Broncos' defensive coordinator has been honored on a national stage.

Two Broncos are on the shortlist for two of the NFL's prestigious year-end awards.

"My heart goes out to him and everything that he means to this team, because obviously we wouldn't be in this position without Bo," Stidham said. "… I know all of us on offense and I know the whole team, we want to go out there and make him proud this Sunday."

"We've just got to find a way," cornerback Pat Surtain II said. "… We didn't make it this far just to come this far. We realize we have a lot on the horizon to look forward to, and this is championship football now. So, we've got to lock in and buy into the process."

Center Luke Wattenberg (shoulder), tackle Frank Crum (ankle), safety JL Skinner (quad), tight end Lucas Krull (foot) and linebacker Drew Sanders (ankle) were all listed as full participants.

The fourth-year player has started 28 games for the Broncos over the last two seasons, including the first 15 games of the 2025 season.

Johnson appeared in 20 games for the Broncos from 2022-23, recording 25 catches for 326 yards and five touchdowns with Denver.

Before the Broncos battle the Patriots in Sunday's AFC Championship Game, Broncos Country will gather to get hyped for the game.

Crawshaw finished with the highest yards per punt average of any of the three rookie punters this season.

"He's been waiting for this moment for the entirety of his career," tackle Mike McGlinchey said. "He's more prepared than anybody would be in this situation, and he can ball. He flat out can play quarterback."

Dobbins, who has been on injured reserve since suffering an injury in a Week 10 win over the Raiders, can now practice with the team ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Patriots.

Nik Bonitto and Quinn Meinerz were among the seven players league-wide to earn All-NFL honors in back-to-back seasons

All the information you need to know before attending this week's game.