The Broncos’ Divisional Round opponent news adds to the odds: Bo Nix injured his ankle and will miss the rest of the postseason, with veteran Jarrett Stidham stepping in. Stidham, a 29-year-old fourth-round pick with limited starting experience, has appeared in 20 career games (four starts) and comes with a long history as a backup. His overall numbers include 1,422 passing yards, 8 TDs, and 8 INTs, while his starter line sits at 62.5% completion with 1,080 yards, 6 TDs, and 4 INTs. He last started in Week 18 of the 2023 season, and he did not throw a pass in one game of the 2025 season.
On the other side, Patriots rookie Drake Maye has been a legitimate MVP candidate this season. The No. 3 overall pick completed 72% of his passes for 4,394 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions over the regular season. In the Wild Card win over the Chargers, Maye produced a 268-yard, 1-TD, 1-INT line while guiding a top-10 defense. For Houston, disrupting Maye and keeping him off the field is a key objective, given the Patriots’ balance and playmakers.
For the Texans to pull off the upset, they’ll need to sustain drives and control the pace—through accurate passing and a commitment to the run when possible. The success of that game plan depends heavily on Houston’s offensive line, play-caller decisions, and the running backs to eat clock and extend possessions. By limiting Maye’s time on the field, Houston can exploit the Patriots’ defense and give Stroud more opportunities to win the game.
Overall, the Texans’ potential path to a Super Bowl hinges on beating New England first and then navigating a backup-turned-contender scenario in Denver. The outlook remains hopeful but demands disciplined execution, time-management, and a sharp game plan to keep Stroud on track. 🚀🏈🧭🛡️📈
