Overview
- Bo Nix underwent surgery for a broken ankle and is out for the playoffs, placing Jarrett Stidham under center Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.
- Betting markets flipped from a lookahead of Broncos -1.5 to Patriots -4.5 to -5.5, with the total clustered around 41 to 42.5 points.
- Sean Payton voiced strong confidence in Stidham, saying the quarterback will "rip it," as teammates echoed belief in the veteran backup.
- Denver leads the NFL with 71 sacks, while Drake Maye has taken 10 postseason sacks and logged six fumbles entering the AFC Championship.
- New England is 8-0 on the road and will be without wide receiver Mack Hollins, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.