Broncos Turn To Stidham As Patriots Await In AFC Title Showdown

All eyes are on Denver as the AFC Championship returns to the Mile High City for the first time in a decade, with the Denver Broncos set to host the New England Patriots on Sunday, January 25, 2026. The matchup, scheduled for 1 p.m. Mountain Time at Empower Field at Mile High and broadcast on CBS and Paramount+, is already swirling with drama, intrigue, and a heavy dose of uncertainty after a wild divisional round weekend.

For Broncos fans, the victory over the Buffalo Bills in overtime last Saturday was a rollercoaster of emotions. Denver, led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix and an opportunistic defense that forced five turnovers, outlasted reigning league MVP Josh Allen and the Bills, 33-30. The win sent Mile High into a frenzy, but the celebrations were short-lived. Late in the game, Nix suffered what appeared to be a minor limp after a designed keeper play. He stayed in the game, helping position the Broncos for the winning field goal after a crucial 30-yard pass interference penalty. Only after the dust settled did the true extent of his injury become clear: Nix had fractured his right ankle and would miss the remainder of the postseason.

"It's great to have home-field advantage in a situation like this. It's exciting. This is why you play the game, this is why you compete. You get to playoff football, and good things happen," Nix said in a postgame interview with CBS, sounding optimistic before the injury diagnosis was made public. The news hit the Broncos locker room hard. Head coach Sean Payton described the moment he learned of Nix's injury: "There was a group in my office. They didn't say anything, but I knew there was something [wrong]." X-rays confirmed the fracture, and Payton broke the news to Nix and his family in the hallway outside the locker room.

With Nix sidelined, the Broncos will turn to veteran backup Jarrett Stidham. Stidham, 29, has seen limited action this season, logging only four snaps—including a kneel-down to end Denver's 44-24 win over Dallas in Week 8. He last started in 2023, when he led the Broncos to a 16-9 victory over the Chargers after Russell Wilson was benched. Despite his limited playing time, Payton is confident in Stidham's readiness. "I know how he was coached in New England. I know exactly how he was coached in New England," Payton said. "And then I know how [current Patriots OC Josh] McDaniels felt about him ... but ultimately ... it's our three years here, our three years watching him day in and day out. He will be ready to go."

Payton also dismissed the notion that backup quarterbacks get significant practice reps during the season, emphasizing Stidham's mental sharpness and ability to challenge the Broncos' defense in practice. "One of Stiddy's strengths is his mental aptitude and his progressions and understanding plays. There would be practices I'm like looking at [DC] Vance [Joseph] getting pissed off because Stiddy's making our defense look bad. He's very accurate. He's got a lot to his ball."

Sam Ehlinger, who spent most of the season on the practice squad before being signed to the roster last week, will serve as Stidham's backup. To bolster depth, the Broncos also added veteran Ben DiNucci to the practice squad. DiNucci's journey to Denver was a story in itself. Watching the divisional round from home, DiNucci tweeted criticism of two controversial pass interference calls that favored the Broncos: "Neither of those are even close to PI. Can't call those at that point in the game. Can't reward a bad ball like that." Less than 24 hours later, after the Broncos called to offer him a spot, DiNucci deleted the tweet and posted a new message: "It has come to my attention that a team may be in need of my services… Good thing my schedule is open this week. Broncos country… Let’s go get a Super Bowl ?" He's expected to serve as the team's QB3 behind Stidham and Ehlinger.

The Patriots, meanwhile, arrive in Denver riding high after a 28-16 win over the Houston Texans in snowy Foxboro. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye outdueled C.J. Stroud, capitalizing on five Texans turnovers. The Patriots' defense, opportunistic as ever, set the tone, while Maye's late touchdown sealed the win and punched New England's ticket to the AFC title game. The Patriots enter the game as 5.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, with moneyline odds at -275 for New England and +225 for Denver. The over/under is set at 40.5 points, reflecting expectations of a hard-fought, defensive battle.

Drake Maye, who has emerged as a potential MVP candidate in his rookie season, expressed sympathy for Bo Nix after the Patriots' win: "Obviously the news, it's heartbreaking for what a player he is, the guy he is. Just know, praying for Bo. I know he's going to bounce back. He's a great player in this league. Look forward to matching up with him. We had one in college and he got the best of me. I know he'll bounce back. I know they've got a good team. Should be a tough one next week."

This AFC Championship showdown is rich with storylines. The Broncos, top seed in the conference, are hosting their first championship game in ten years. Their defense is coming off a five-turnover performance against Buffalo, but they'll need to rally around Stidham, who has yet to attempt a postseason pass. The Patriots, perennial playoff contenders, are led by a rookie quarterback who has shown poise beyond his years. Both teams have overcome adversity—Denver with a devastating late-season injury, New England with a gauntlet of tough opponents and harsh weather conditions.

Fans and pundits alike are wondering: Can Stidham channel the spirit of backup quarterbacks who have led playoff runs in the past? Payton pointed to Teddy Bridgewater's 5-0 stint with the Saints in 2019 and Davis Mills' 3-0 record for the Texans this season as proof that anything is possible. The Broncos' coaching staff is hard at work building a game plan suited to Stidham's strengths, acknowledging that "there are certain things Bo does differently than Stiddy. Absolutely."

As kickoff approaches, anticipation is building in Denver and across the NFL landscape. With a trip to Super Bowl LX on the line, both teams are preparing for what promises to be a memorable clash. The Broncos will lean on their defense, home-field advantage, and a resilient locker room, while the Patriots look to continue their postseason dominance behind Drake Maye.

One thing is certain: when the Broncos and Patriots take the field on January 25, the stakes couldn't be higher, and the storylines couldn't be richer. The AFC Championship is set, and fans everywhere are ready for a Mile High showdown that will decide who punches their ticket to Super Bowl glory.