There are a handful of routines that David Douglass follows whenever he watches the Denver Broncos play. He won’t share his superstitions because he doesn’t want to jinx his favorite football team.

But Douglass always makes sure he’s done his part as a diehard Denver fan in New England. Even if stressful games make him question his superstitions — like Denver’s 33-30 OT win against the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round on Saturday — Douglass stays true to his game-day routine.

“Honestly, I’m sitting here thinking, ‘Do I change any of my superstitions? What do I do?'”

Douglass said he will stick with the plan this Sunday afternoon when he watches the AFC Championship game between his top-seeded Broncos (15-3) and the second-seeded New England Patriots (16-3).

Denver is playing in its first conference championship game since the 2015-16 season, when the eventual Super Bowl 50 champions hosted the Patriots and won 20-18 with a decisive two-point conversion stop in the final seconds.

Douglass, who was born in Brunswick and was dressed in Pats garb as a child, has been an avid Broncos fan for more than 40 years. He became a fan after watching Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, who entered the NFL when Douglass was 10.

Furthermore, Douglass said “there wasn’t much to cheer for” in New England with the Patriots mostly struggling in the 1980s and 90s.

The inside of the Douglass home is full of Broncos memorabilia, including photos, ticket stubs and a signed Elway rookie card. Douglass proudly displays a Broncos flag out front and a 3-foot strip of turf from the old Mile High Stadium in his yard.

His love for the Broncos, Douglass added, has caught the attention of many in town.

Denver will be without second-year starter Bo Nix, after the QB broke his ankle in the final moments of the game against Buffalo. Jarrett Stidham will start instead. The 2019 Patriots fourth-round draft pick last threw an NFL pass in 2023.

Douglass said if Stidham can keep turnovers at a minimum, the Broncos defense should keep the game close.

“We’re playing with house money now,” he said. “I mean, if we lose Sunday because we have a backup quarterback, that’s what everyone expects. But let me tell you what. If we win that game, and when we win that game, it’s going to be one of the most embarrassing losses for the New England Patriots to have lost to a quarterback that hasn’t seen the field in two years, and I will make sure every person knows about it.”