Patriots and Broncos meet in AFC Championship with New England activating Mack Hollins

The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos meet Sunday, January 25, 2026, in the AFC Championship Game, with New England getting a timely personnel boost by activating wide receiver Mack Hollins from injured reserve. The move adds depth and experience to the Patriots’ passing game as they seek a Super Bowl trip in a high-stakes road matchup at Empower Field at Mile High. ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2026/01/24/sports/patriots-activate-mack-hollins-for-afc-championship-game/?utm_source=openai))

Hollins had been sidelined with an abdominal injury and missed multiple late-season and early-playoff games, but his return gives the offense another target alongside the team’s top options. Reports highlighted Hollins’ production earlier in the year and portrayed the activation as a practical upgrade for quarterback Drake Maye, particularly in a game where third-down execution and red-zone efficiency can decide the outcome. ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2026/01/24/sports/patriots-activate-mack-hollins-for-afc-championship-game/?utm_source=openai))

The matchup also carries broader significance for both franchises. For New England, it marks a return to the conference-title stage after several seasons away from that level; for Denver, it is a chance to capitalize on home-field advantage and defensive strengths that have defined its season. Fans were given extensive viewing and streaming options, reflecting the size of the event on the NFL calendar. ([patspulpit.com](https://www.patspulpit.com/new-england-patriots-game-information/120232/how-to-watch-nfl-today-live-stream-tv-kickoff-time-afc-championship-game-broncos?utm_source=openai))

Strategically, the Patriots’ decision to bring Hollins back signals a preference for more flexibility in personnel groupings—using a bigger receiving body when needed while keeping the ability to rotate targets to manage matchups. In a playoff environment, that kind of rotation can matter, especially if defenses focus coverage on a team’s primary star receivers. ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2026/01/24/sports/patriots-activate-mack-hollins-for-afc-championship-game/?utm_source=openai))

The Broncos, meanwhile, enter as a tough opponent in Denver, where crowd noise and weather conditions can complicate communication and timing for visiting offenses. That increases the importance of preparation, route precision, and the ability to win contested catches—areas where a veteran receiver can contribute even if he isn’t the top target. ([patspulpit.com](https://www.patspulpit.com/new-england-patriots-game-information/120232/how-to-watch-nfl-today-live-stream-tv-kickoff-time-afc-championship-game-broncos?utm_source=openai))

With a Super Bowl berth on the line, roster health and marginal advantages often become decisive. New England’s activation of Hollins is one of those late-season tweaks that teams hope will show up in the small moments—key third downs, a broken-tackle first down, or a critical red-zone snap—when a championship game tightens. ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2026/01/24/sports/patriots-activate-mack-hollins-for-afc-championship-game/?utm_source=openai))