Nike Debuting New Alpha Menace Cleat During AFC Championship Game 

All eyes in the football world will be on the NFL's conference championship games Sunday, beginning with the AFC title matchup between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots (3 p.m. ET, CBS).

Nike is using the AFC Championship Game to debut its newest Alpha Menace cleat, which will be worn by Patriots tight end Austin Hooper as New England looks to reach its first Super Bowl in seven years.

More on the Nike Alpha Menace

There have already been four editions of the Nike Alpha Menace cleat, with the most recent iteration worn by NFL stars such as Philadelphia Eagles running back and 2024 Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley.

According to a press release shared with Men's Journal, the latest Alpha Menace promises three main areas of innovation to benefit athletes.

• Better Fit: A reinforced Flynit upper offers a lightweight, breathable fit to accommodate Alpha athletes all across the field
• Better Ride: Its updated mid-sole with an in-heel foam layer pairs with an integrated Flynit cuff to form security and comfort from the first snap to the last
• Better Traction: A redesigned, wider traction plate with optimal stud placement and shape supports the Alpha athlete getting from Point A through Point B

The shoes are said to be designed for players who are "a mix of speed and power," so in that sense, it seems logical that a tight end would be the first to wear them.

Hooper is not a star--he's actually New England's No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry--but he is an established 10-year NFL veteran and two-time Pro Bowler who plays a key role in the Patriots' offensive attack.

Hooper caught 21 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season, and has played in 46.5% of New England's offensive snaps through two playoff games. He caught one pass for 14 yards in the win over the Houston Texans last weekend.

NFL Championship Sunday is here

The Broncos and Patriots will face off in today's first game. Denver, the No. 1 seed in the AFC, is relying on its defense and backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham to reach its first Super Bowl in a decade following the season-ending injury to starting signal caller Bo Nix.

In Sunday's nightcap, the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks will host their NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, for the right to go to Super Bowl LX. Kickoff for that showdown is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX.