The Denver Broncos were dealt a tough blow as starting quarterback Bo Nix is out for the rest of the season with a broken ankle.
The Denver Broncos advanced to the American Football Conference Championship after defeating the Buffalo Bills in an exciting 33-30 overtime win in the divisional round.
This game was filled with intensity, injuries, turnovers, controversy and heartbreak. The Broncos controlled much of the first half and took a 20-10 lead into the second half, but Bills quarterback Josh Allen led his team to overtime with some crucial plays. Unfortunately for Allen, he turned the ball over four times, and the final time proved to be the end of the Bills’ season.
The Broncos’ defense must find a way to get New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to turn the ball over that many times, because with QB Bo Nix out for the rest of the season, Denver’s offense rides on backup QB Jarrett Stidham’s shoulders.
Nix broke a bone in his right ankle on the second-to-last play before Will Lutz’ game-winning chip-shot field goal. He finished the game, but when he got up from the initial hit, he did have a limp. Sure enough, the worst-case scenario occurred and Stidham will be tasked with leading his team to the Super Bowl.
Stidham hasn’t thrown a pass in a game in two years and is in charge of taking down one of the most ferocious defenses in the National Football League. The Patriots forced Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud to throw four interceptions en route to a 28-16 win in Foxborough, so head coach Sean Payton will have to do his best to get Stidham prepared for a battle.
Denver’s defensive unit has been electric this season, but toward the end of the regular season, it wasn’t as successful as in the beginning. Still, this unit led the NFL in sacks (68) and features star players all around the field, but watching this unit blow a 13-point lead and narrowly escape with the win raises some concerns.
With Stidham under center, it seems like everyone is counting the Broncos out. While Stidham is a downgrade from Nix, the Broncos got to where they are by being a deep and resilient team.
ESPN’s Seth Walder believes the Patriots have this one in the bag.
“…Denver's defense isn't quite in the same league as the Texans, whom the Patriots just beat,” Walder wrote Sunday. “Maye will hardly have to be perfect because of who is on the other side. The Broncos will be diminished with Stidham at quarterback, and that should be enough for the best passing offense in the NFL.”
If the Broncos have any shot of taking down Maye and the Patriots, the defense must play sound defense for the entirety of the game. If New England goes up early, it could be a long day for Broncos fans.