– Foles, a former nemesis who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl win over New England, used his post on X to warn the Broncos that the Patriots “struggle against backup QBs in championship-type games.” His message leaned on historical gut-punches from the 2018 Super Bowl. 🦅🏆
– While Stidham will be stepping into a high-pressure spot, Foles himself didn’t walk into the Super Bowl with zero prep. He had a ramp-up: two playoff games after the Wentz injury, including a strong performance in the NFC Championship, before facing the Patriots. Stidham’s four career starts won’t mirror Foles’ 2018 run, but New England can’t overlook Denver. ⏳🏈
– The Patriots’ defense has been a bright spot, giving New England a prime matchup with an inexperienced Broncos offense. They’ve allowed just 19 points over the last two games, with chargers and Texans stingy but turnover-prone opponents. Vrabel praised the unit for its complementary play and opportunistic defense. 🛡️👏
– In short, New England has a favorable matchup on paper, but Denver’s top-tier defense and Stidham’s unfamiliarity could still pose a challenge. The game will hinge on protecting the ball, sustaining the defensive pressure, and not giving the backup quarterback easy chances to beat a balanced, well-coordinated Patriots squad. Broncos fans should be ready for a tough, punishing fight. 🐎💥
