The next potential showdown was slated for the AFC Championship in Denver, after Nix helped the Broncos upset the Bills and Maye guided the Patriots past the Texans. But tragedy struck when Nix broke his ankle in the Buffalo game, ending his season. Now Nix will sit out the AFC Championship, and Maye will play against Jarrett Stidham, Nix’s backup and a familiar name to Patriots fans. 💥🏥
Drake Maye spoke publicly about his relationship with Nix, including their time training together before the 2024 NFL draft. He called Bo and his family “great people” and said hearing the news was heartbreaking. Maye added that he’s praying for Bo and believes he’ll bounce back, while looking forward to another matchup with his former college rival. 💔🙏🏈
The game plan carries an extra layer of intrigue because the Patriots’ opponent will be Stidham, a quarterback with limited NFL playing time. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels knows Stidham well from New England, and Stidham has started four NFL games across six seasons with 197 career passes. 📚🎬
In the wild-card win, Maye faced his own struggles, fumbling four times (losing two) and throwing an interception. He insisted he’s not satisfied and that they’ll learn from it, crediting the defense and special teams for big plays, and reaffirming that they’re back on the road to face a tough, familiar opponent in the AFC Championship. 🔥🧠🏈
