As Wil Lutz‘s 23-yard field goal sailed through the uprights to send the Denver Broncos to the AFC Championship, Empower Field turned into a party.
While fans rejoiced and Broncos players celebrated, Bo Nix‘s face held a sense of dread. It looked like he knew something no one else did.
Un-Bo-Lievable
In the post-game press conference, Broncos head coach Sean Payton told the media that Nix had fractured his ankle, ending his sophomore season. The entire city of Denver was devastated—Nix had completely revived Broncos football. He gave them hope after a decade filled with disappointment.
While Nix’s absence will be felt indefinitely on Sunday when they welcome the New England Patriots, the Broncos’ chances at a Super Bowl appearance aren’t as slim as most think.
The Broncos offense will run through Jarrett Stidham, a seventh-year backup who will try to replace their sparkplug in Bo Nix. While the task is certainly daunting, it isn’t impossible—especially after Denver’s performance on Saturday.
Crazier Things Have Happened
Ever heard of Nick Foles? That’s the role Stidham will be taking on Sunday—a backup quarterback coming out of nowhere attempting to lead his team through the playoffs. Payton has praised Stidham recently for his play, even claiming he could be starting for many NFL teams right now.
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While making only 4 career starts, Stidham shows incredible accuracy and impressive system knowledge. This isn’t a “Philip Rivers on the Colts” situation—Stidham knows the offense well. He will be fully in sync with Payton.
Stidham also brings a strong veteran presence, serving as Tom Brady‘s backup in 2019. He’s been in the Broncos’ system since 2023, mentoring young quarterbacks until Bo Nix arrived. People credit Nix’s raw ability and athleticism when talking about him. However, Stidham deserves his flowers, too, for mentoring him through his first two seasons in the NFL.
Obviously, there’s always a downside. It’s still a big ask from Payton for Stidham to lead this Broncos offense in their biggest game of the season. While he does tend to take bad sacks from time to time, Denver’s elite offensive line will almost certainly minimize any of those chances.
J.K. Dobbins… Back?
Adam Schefter announced on Monday afternoon that the Broncos are opening the practice window for running back J.K. Dobbins. If ready to go, Dobbins skyrockets the Broncos’ offensive versatility, giving RJ Harvey more rest and providing two significant threats on the ground. Harvey has been RB1 for the back half of the season because of Dobbins’s injury.
If Dobbins plays, it opens up more short-passing options for Stidham. It would allow Harvey to return to his earlier playstyle as a reception-first running back and would enable Dobbins to run more frequently. While he most likely won’t be 100 percent, it still gives Stidham more options, allowing Denver to move down the field.
They’re Still the Denver Broncos
One player doesn’t define a team. When evaluating this current Broncos squad, many immediately point their fingers at the glaring hole in the quarterback position. Instead, they should focus on their incredible defense.
Denver forced five turnovers against Buffalo, which ultimately led to their win. Strip sacks, interceptions—Denver has it. Their incredible defensive performance was ultimately capped by Ja’Quan McMillian‘s Hulk-esque interception, ripping the ball out of Brandin Cooks‘s hands.
Don’t be mistaken, this defense can and will make impact plays on Sunday. They’ll keep Denver in the game just like they have all season. The Broncos still have a game to win and are more than capable of coming away with a victory. Come Sunday, don’t be surprised to see some Mile High magic in full swing.
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