In a stunning twist that has upended the NFL playoff landscape, the Denver Broncos news cycle went into overdrive this Friday morning. The team officially confirmed that MVP-candidate quarterback Bo Nix has been ruled out of Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. Nix, who led Denver to a franchise-best 14-3 record, suffered a severe high-ankle sprain during the team's thrilling 33-30 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. In his absence, veteran backup Jarrett Stidham is now the confirmed Broncos starter for the pivotal clash at Empower Field at Mile High.

Bo Nix Injury Update 2026: A Season Cut Short

The Bo Nix injury update 2026 is the headline no Denver fan wanted to read. After a breakout sophomore campaign where he threw for 3,593 yards and 29 touchdowns while adding another 14 scores on the ground, Nix's season ended on the final drive of last week's overtime thriller. Head Coach Sean Payton addressed the media early Friday, confirming the severity of the injury.

"Bo fought like a warrior to get us this far," Payton said. "Unfortunately, the ankle instability is significant. We explored every medical avenue, but he simply cannot go this Sunday. He's crushed, but he's also Jarrett's biggest supporter right now."

Stidham's Revenge Game?

The narrative surrounding the Jarrett Stidham Broncos starter announcement is thick with irony. Stidham, selected by New England in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, now stands between his former team and a Super Bowl berth. Since signing a two-year, $12 million extension with Denver in March 2025, Stidham has seen limited action, appearing only in mop-up duty during the regular season. However, his familiarity with the Patriots' institutional culture—and his preseason mastery of Payton's scheme—gives the Broncos hope.

"I've been preparing for this moment my whole career," Stidham told reporters. "It's not about me vs. the Patriots. It's about this locker room and finishing what Bo started."

AFC Championship Game Preview: The Maye vs. Stidham Matchup

This AFC Championship Game preview looks vastly different than it did 48 hours ago. The Patriots, led by their own sophomore sensation Drake Maye and first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, have been road warriors, boasting an undefeated 8-0 record away from Foxborough this season. Maye's connection with his receiving corps has fueled a vertical passing attack that will test a Denver secondary missing key pieces.

With Stidham under center, the Broncos are expected to pivot to a run-heavy attack, leaning on their stout offensive line to control the clock and keep Maye off the field. The key matchup to watch will be Denver's pass rush against a Patriots offensive line that has struggled with speed off the edge.

Patriots vs Broncos Odds and Betting Shift

Unsurprisingly, the Patriots vs Broncos odds swung violently following the announcement. Denver opened as 4.5-point favorites earlier in the week. By Friday afternoon, the line had flipped, with New England now sitting as 2.5-point road favorites at major sportsbooks. The total has also plummeted from 48.5 to 41.5, suggesting oddsmakers expect a defensive struggle rather than a shootout.

Bettors reacting to the NFL Playoff injury report are fading the Broncos' offense, but sharp money suggests keeping an eye on Sean Payton's game-planning ability in high-leverage situations. Stidham is 1-1 as a starter for Denver in his career, including a win against the Chargers in late 2023.

Super Bowl LX Predictions: The Road to Levi's Stadium

The winner of Sunday's showdown will punch their ticket to Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX. Most updated Super Bowl LX predictions now favor the Patriots to advance, citing the quarterback disparity. However, Denver's home-field advantage at Mile High is legendary in the playoffs. If the Broncos' defense can force turnovers and Stidham can manage the game without crucial errors, Denver could still find a way to pull off the upset.

Sunday's game kicks off at 6:30 PM ET. Whether it's the start of the Drake Maye dynasty or a legendary backup performance by Jarrett Stidham, history will be written in Denver.