In just about two days, the New England Patriots will face the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game. They’ll have to do it potentially without some key contributors.Linebacker Harold Landry III has been ruled out for Sunday’s game, according to Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Cornerback Carlton Davis, wide receiver Mack Hollins, and linebacker Marte Mapu will all be listed as questionable heading into Denver.Landry III had two tackles against the Houston Texans in last week’s playoff game. He’s been battling a knee injury and led the Patriots with 8.5 sacks on the season.Davis had a monster game against the Texans, making 4 tackles to go with 2 interceptions. He sustained a head injury in the game.Davis has played admirably as the man opposite of Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez.Hollins is working his way back from an abdominal injury that landed him on the injured reserve list in late December.He was spotted at practice working with the receivers for the first time on Thursday.The 6’4″ Hollins was a reliable target for quarterback Drake Maye with 46 catches on the year for 550 yards and 2 touchdowns.He is also a reliable blocker in the run game.Mapu played one defensive snap in each of the Patriots’ previous two playoff games and has mostly been a special teams and rotational player for New England.The Patriots have a strong offense, ranked third overall, while the Broncos boast the league’s second-best defense. Vrabel said the key to winning on Sunday will be consistency. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes last week. Denver’s defense led the league with 68 sacks this season. Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham is making his first start since 2023 with Bo Nix out with an ankle injury. He is 1-3 in his four NFL starts.Vrabel is attempting to become the eighth coach in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl in his first season with a team.Both teams are coming off big wins, with the Patriots defeating the Texans and the Chargers.The Broncos have a 4-1 edge in the playoff matchups between the teams, winning all four games in Denver. The two most recent meetings were in the AFC championship games during the 2013 and 2015 seasons, and were both won by the Broncos.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —

In just about two days, the New England Patriots will face the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game.

They’ll have to do it potentially without some key contributors.

Linebacker Harold Landry III has been ruled out for Sunday’s game, according to Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Cornerback Carlton Davis, wide receiver Mack Hollins, and linebacker Marte Mapu will all be listed as questionable heading into Denver.

Landry III had two tackles against the Houston Texans in last week’s playoff game. He’s been battling a knee injury and led the Patriots with 8.5 sacks on the season.

Davis had a monster game against the Texans, making 4 tackles to go with 2 interceptions. He sustained a head injury in the game.

Davis has played admirably as the man opposite of Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

Hollins is working his way back from an abdominal injury that landed him on the injured reserve list in late December.

He was spotted at practice working with the receivers for the first time on Thursday.

The 6’4″ Hollins was a reliable target for quarterback Drake Maye with 46 catches on the year for 550 yards and 2 touchdowns.

He is also a reliable blocker in the run game.

Mapu played one defensive snap in each of the Patriots’ previous two playoff games and has mostly been a special teams and rotational player for New England.

The Patriots have a strong offense, ranked third overall, while the Broncos boast the league’s second-best defense.

Vrabel said the key to winning on Sunday will be consistency.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes last week.

Denver’s defense led the league with 68 sacks this season. Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham is making his first start since 2023 with Bo Nix out with an ankle injury. He is 1-3 in his four NFL starts.

Vrabel is attempting to become the eighth coach in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl in his first season with a team.

Both teams are coming off big wins, with the Patriots defeating the Texans and the Chargers.

The Broncos have a 4-1 edge in the playoff matchups between the teams, winning all four games in Denver. The two most recent meetings were in the AFC championship games during the 2013 and 2015 seasons, and were both won by the Broncos.