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The New England Patriots are on to Denver

The Denver Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-16 Sunday night in the final AFC Divisional Playoff game, meaning the Patriots now know their opponent for next week's AFC Championship game.

New England will travel to Denver to face quarterback Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game for the second time in three seasons. The Patriots lost to the Broncos on the road in Week 11 in backup QB Brock Osweiler's first career start.

Sunday's matchup should look a bit different. The Patriots were without injured wide receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, cornerback Justin Coleman and linebacker Jamie Collins. Linebacker Dont'a Hightower left the game with an injury in the second quarter and would not return, while tight end Rob Gronkowski was injured in the final minutes of regulation.

The Patriots lost that game in overtime, 30-24, when Broncos running back C.J. Anderson broke off a 48-yard touchdown run. The Patriots also lost the 2013 AFC Championship game to Manning's Broncos, 26-16.

Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images