Thursday 15 December 2016 15:55, UK
The rivalry between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots continues even without Peyton Manning and the next instalment is live on Sky Sports this Sunday.
The two teams have met in the AFC Championship game twice out of the last three years and the pair face off as part of Sky Sports' NFL triple header on Sunday as the race for the play-offs hots up on Sky Sports 2 from 5.30pm.
At least one of these organisations has been involved in the game in each of the past five seasons. The Broncos are the only team in the entire NFL that has a winning record against Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
All of this adds weight to the argument that, despite the 2,000 mile trip, the Broncos-Patriots rivalry is one of the most fierce in the league.
That relationship stepped up a notch in last season's AFC Championship game, when Peyton Manning's Broncos beat the Patriots 20-18 to reach the Super Bowl.
Manning had missed six games at the end of the regular season, returning in week 17 to lead Denver through their post-season campaign. After a 23-16 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Broncos welcomed the Patriots to Mile High Stadium for the chance to reach Super Bowl 50.
Denver led throughout the game, but it wasn't until the final drive that Brady's offence looked like they might spoil the party.
Rob Gronkowski made the four-yard touchdown grab at the back of the end zone with just 12 seconds to go, to bring the score within two points. They went for the two-point conversion, but after pressure from linebacker DeMarcus Ware, Brady couldn't find wide receiver Julian Edelman, and instead Bradley Roby made the interception, sending Denver to their eighth Super Bowl.
This Sunday, the two sides meet again with both needing victory, but for very different reasons. The Patriots, at 11-2, are guaranteed a play-off spot, but will hope to secure home advantage as the No 1 seed.
In contrast, the Broncos are fighting to qualify for the post-season. Two losses in their last three, to the Kansas City Chiefs and then the Tennessee Titans, leave Denver at 8-5 and clinging on to the sixth seed. With a tough run in, playing three teams with 10 wins each, means the Broncos have to be at their best if they are to continue their Super Bowl defence.
There are similarities between this year's Denver team and the side that was victorious in 2015, despite notable departures. The team has struggled offensively, with quarterback Trevor Siemian in and out of the team due to injury. This has inhibited the play of wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, and the running game is nonexistent following injuries to C.J Anderson and Kapri Bibbs.
Their strength comes once more from the defence, which continues to make plays through Von Miller, Derek Wolfe and Aqib Talib.
Brady has an 0-3 record when playing in Denver. It will be the defence that must step up again if the Broncos are to make that 0-4.
You can watch the Patriots @ Broncos as part of a live triple header on Sunday December 18, from 5:30pm on Sky Sports 2.
