Overview
- Denver confirmed Bo Nix will miss the rest of the playoffs and named veteran Jarrett Stidham the starter for Sunday’s AFC Championship in Denver.
- Sean Payton publicly backed Stidham, a 2019 Patriots draft pick who has four career starts and no pass attempts in the past two seasons.
- Denver’s defense led the NFL in sacks and is expected to target New England’s protection, with Nik Bonitto a key threat off the edge.
- The Broncos boast elite pass protection with the league’s lowest sack rate, a potential stabilizer as Payton tailors the plan for a backup quarterback.
- Patriots QB Drake Maye has been sacked frequently and turned the ball over more in the postseason but says he will keep taking calculated deep shots; the winner advances to Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, and Denver is evaluating a possible J.K. Dobbins return.