– Stidham steps in: Jarrett Stidham starts at QB, finishes with 133 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, and 3 sacks. He did spark a early scoring drive, but the offense stalled afterward.
– Key moments: One big touchdown drive featured a 52-yard gain on a single play, but the momentum wasn’t enough to swing the game.
– What could’ve been: Bo Nix was sidelined after a season-ending ankle injury suffered in the Wild Card round vs. Buffalo. He attended the game, and his absence was a hot topic as fans and analysts wondered how the game might’ve looked with Nix healthy.
– Beloved by the fanbase: After the game, voices around the league argued that Nix’s presence could’ve changed the outcome, especially in tough weather. Analysts suggested the “what if” scenario and praised Nix as a rising signal-caller.
– Bo Nix’s big season: Regular season numbers that dazzled many fans: league-leading 612 pass attempts, 63.4% completions, 3,931 yards, 25 TDs, 11 INTs. He was a source of hope and excitement for Broncos Nation.
– The takeaway: Denver clearly missed Nix’s playmaking and resilience in a gritty, snow-ready environment. With a healthy Nix, pundits believe the game—and perhaps the playoff run—could’ve looked different.
🔥 Bottom line: The “what if” conversation is loud after this loss, and the promise of Bo Nix’s era is only getting louder as the Broncos head into the offseason. 📊🏈🚨
