The Patriots have exceeded expectations this season with a 14-3 regular season record and two playoff wins. They are the favorites against the Denver Broncos on the road. Hartford City Councilman Alex Thomas appeared in court Wednesday, only to learn a judge will decide his fate next month.

New England is headed to its first AFC Championship game appearance since the 2018 season and will face the Broncos

Former Patriots safety Devin McCourty, a three-time Super Bowl-winner with the team, is a big fan of the rookie defensive back. Watching how good Woodson has been, how quickly he’s emerged at safety initially “shocked” McCourty.

Texans fans, is this good or bad news?: The Texans-Patriots game, televised by ABC and ESPN, averaged 38 million viewers, making it the most-watched broadcast in ESPN history.

The Denver Broncos are coming off their first playoff win in a decade, defeating the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in a thrilling overtime win in the divisional round. In a contest that featured six total turnovers and three lead changes, Broncos Country was elated to see the team advance to the AFC championship game for the first time in 10 years.

The Houston Texans and New England Patriots meet Sunday for an AFC Divisional Round game in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. ET.

The New England Patriots included a new absence on Thursday. Garrett Bradbury (illness) surprisingly missed practice after not previously being listed on the injury report. Harold Landry III (knee) and Marte Mapu (hip) missed their second consecutive practice prior to the AFC Championship.