Before Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton encouraged fans to be loud and told them that they would get a break soon.
“They’re going to have plenty of rest after this one,” Payton said. “Two weeks.”
Sean Payton wants Broncos fans to be loud again this week in the AFC Championship Game…
“They’re going to have plenty of rest after this one. Two weeks.”
👀 👀 pic.twitter.com/SOw9xcByYL
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) January 22, 2026
After being asked about Payton’s comments, Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte said he did not see the comments but responded that “they can rest in Cancun too at the end of the day.”
Kayshon Boutte on Sean Payton saying Denver fans will have plenty of rest after the AFC Championship game:
Kayshon said he didn’t see it, but added, “They can rest in Cancun too at the end of the day.” @NBC10pic.twitter.com/r9YSR4t5Jm
— Kevin Moore (@KMooreTV) January 22, 2026
The Broncos and Patriots will revive a rivalry that featured matchups between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the later stages of their careers this Sunday. The Patriots and Broncos dominated the regular season, with each team going 14-3.
The Patriots are coming off back-to-back wins over the Chargers and Texans to reach their first AFC Championship since 2018. The Patriots are led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who was announced as an MVP finalist.
The Broncos are coming off an 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills to advance to their first AFC Championship since 2015. After the Bills game, the Broncos lost quarterback Bo Nix to a season-ending ankle fracture.
Former Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham will start in Sunday’s game for the Broncos. The Broncos could get running back J.K. Dobbins back for the Patriots game. Dobbins has been out since Week 10 with a Lisfranc injury.
