Ask Onix
Broncos face quarterback crisis ahead of AFC title game
The Denver Broncos will enter Sunday's AFC Championship without starting quarterback Bo Nix, who suffered a broken ankle in Saturday's playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills. Backup Jarrett Stidham, who has not started a regular-season game in his seven-year NFL career, will lead Denver's offense against the New England Patriots.
Nix's injury reshapes Broncos' Super Bowl bid
Nix, a second-year quarterback, had guided Denver to the AFC's top seed and a berth in the conference title game. His injury occurred on one of the final plays of the Broncos' overtime win against Buffalo. Head coach Sean Payton confirmed the setback during postgame celebrations, calling the 2025 season "the most unusual" in recent memory.
The loss of Nix thrusts Stidham into the spotlight. The 29-year-old has appeared in just 20 NFL games, starting only four times-all in the 2022 preseason. His last regular-season pass came two years ago.
Stidham's unlikely path to the playoffs
Stidham's journey to this moment has been anything but linear. Drafted by the Patriots in 2019 as Tom Brady's heir apparent, he lost a quarterback competition to Cam Newton in 2020 before undergoing back surgery in 2021. Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, he made his first two NFL starts that season but remained a backup.
His connection to New England adds another layer of intrigue: The Patriots, who drafted him, will face Denver this weekend. Stidham will oppose rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who replaced him as New England's long-term successor to Brady.
"I think he sees things really well. He's athletic enough to extend plays. The accuracy, the decision-making-he's really decisive in the games we watched."
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
Payton's confidence in Stidham
Despite Stidham's limited experience, Payton expressed faith in his ability to rise to the occasion. The Broncos' head coach, who won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints in 2010, emphasized Stidham's preparation against Denver's elite defense during practice.
"There'd be practices where I'm looking at Vance [Joseph, defensive coordinator], like getting [angry] because Stiddy is making our defense look bad," Payton said. "He's very accurate. He has a lot to his ball."
Stidham's career stats include 117 completions on 197 attempts (59.4%) for eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. Payton plans to tailor Denver's offense to Stidham's strengths, potentially leaning on the run game if running back JK Dobbins returns from injury.
Patriots' Maye faces pressure from Broncos' defense
New England's Maye, a leading MVP candidate, has struggled with sacks and turnovers in the playoffs. The 23-year-old was sacked 10 times and committed five turnovers in his first two postseason games. Denver's defense, ranked among the NFL's best in sacks, rushing defense, and red-zone efficiency, poses a formidable challenge.
"Coach Vrabel has talked about how Maye utilizes his legs and his arm, but he is very sackable. The Broncos' defensive line will be licking their chops at the idea of getting a sack fumble."
NFL analyst Phoebe Schecter
What's next for Denver and New England
The AFC Championship will kick off at 20:00 GMT on Sunday, with the winner advancing to Super Bowl 60. The NFC title game between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks follows at 23:30 GMT.
For the Broncos, Stidham's performance could define their season. While history shows backup quarterbacks can lead teams to Super Bowl victories-including Brady in 2001-Denver's path hinges on its defense and Payton's play-calling.
