DENVER – Quinn Meinerz entered Sunday’s AFC Championship having allowed two sacks in 18 games this season. That’s why the Denver Broncos right guard was named a first-team All-Pro for the second straight year.

For the Patriots, Meinerz’s resume only made him a target.

Before Sunday’s matchup, Patriots defensive line coach Clint McMillan challenged his players. He reminded them that the Broncos had the No. 1 offensive line in the NFL. He challenged them to beat the multiple All-Pros they had protecting their quarterback.

Christian Barmore was more than up for the challenge. At 1:55 of the second quarter, the Patriots’ defensive tackle easily beat Meinerz to sack Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham. After the game, he said his opponent’s All-Pro status only made him hungrier.

“First-team All-Pro. Our coach tells us all the time that All-Pro don’t mean (expletive),” Barmore said. “Our coaches tell us every time that they’re All-Pros, so they’re the targets. That’s the mission. He’s a helluva player, but this is for us.”

Barmore’s one of a handful of players on the Patriots roster who experienced the lows of the last two seasons. After winning 4 games in each of the last two years, many in New England grew tired of losing.

For the Patriots to get back to the Super Bowl, the team needed its defense to step up.

Through three games, the Patriots’ defensive line has been dominant. On Sunday, they finished with seven quarterback hits and three sacks. The Patriots also limited the Denver offense to 3.3 yards per carry.

When the Patriots pressured Stidham, it led to great results, including a game-clinching interception by Christian Gonzalez in the fourth quarter.

“That was the goal,” Barmore said. “Our coach was telling us we’ve got to get pressure on this guy. We can’t let him stay in the pocket. That was the goal every time we were on that field – in practice, everything. That was the No. 1 goal.”

This season, Barmore played in every game for the Patriots and finished with two sacks. The 26-year-old, missed most of last season after being diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs.

Now, he’s headed to Super Bowl 60.

“Yeah, it’s a blessing. Especially in my situation. I came in with blood clots and all that,” Barmore said. “It’s a blessing from God. Thank god I’m here. And to be with my teammates, the organization, the defense, it’s exciting.”