Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

NFL Playoff bracket and schedule 2014: Broncos and Patriots play for AFC title

Ready for another round of Brady vs. Manning? The Broncos and Patriots are set to play for the AFC championship next Sunday.

SB Nation 2014 NFL Playoff Coverage

The Denver Broncos entered the playoffs as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, boosted by one of the best performances ever seen from a quarterback in Peyton Manning. It comes as no surprise that they will be the hosts of the AFC Championship Game. Denver advanced to the title game after taking care of the San Diego Chargers, 24-17, on Sunday. It will be the Broncos' first appearance in the game since the 2005 playoffs, and they will be hoping to win it for the first time since the 1998 postseason -- the second of their back-to-back Super Bowl victories.

Denver will meet the New England Patriots, who had little trouble with the Colts in the divisional round on Saturday night. This will be the third straight AFC Championship Game for the Patriots, who last won the conference title in 2011. In fact, this will be the New England's eighth conference title game in 13 years, an incredible run that has included three Super Bowl wins. The game will kick off on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 3 p.m. ET on CBS.

Over in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks will face the San Francisco 49ers for the third time this season. The 49ers are in the NFC Championship Game for the third straight year after knocking off the Carolina Panthers, 23-10, on Sunday. The game kicks off Sunday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX. San Francisco is in the hunt to win its sixth Super Bowl and first since the 1994 playoffs, while the Seahawks are still looking for their first title in franchise history. Seattle last made the big game in the 2005 playoffs.

It’s a monster day of conference title games, given the quarterback star power in the AFC and the piping hot rivalry that’s developed in the NFC West.

Conference Championship Week schedule--Sunday, Jan. 19

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos, 3 p.m. ET

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks, 6:30 p.m. ET

Click to enlarge bracket and for SB Nation’s complete postseason coverage.

Updated_bracket_medium

More from SB Nation NFL

SB Nation’s 2014 NFL playoff coverage and brackets

Chilton: Divisional round winners, losers and what happens next

NFL mock draft: Johnny Football cracks the top 5

Tom Brady, Peyton Manning prepare for Round 15

Beast Quake: The greatest TD run in NFL playoff history

Breaking Madden: Never count out ‘Touchdown’ Tom Brady

See More:

More in NFL

NFL
WNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in FriscoWNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in Frisco
NFL

The Women’s National Football Conference Championship will air on ESPN2 this weekend.

By RJ Ochoa
From SBNationExternal Link
Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?
From SBNationExternal Link
By James Dator
NFL
Best bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the YearBest bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL

There are some good longer-shot options on offensive side of ball for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year.

By Bill Williamson
NFL
Brendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go inBrendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go in
NFL

This is a no-brainer for some NFL teams.

By James Dator
NFL
Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before himFernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him
NFL

Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him

By RJ Ochoa
NFL
Brendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reportsBrendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports
NFL

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is entering the NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports

By Mark Schofield