The Denver Broncos' magical Super Bowl run has hit a devastating roadblock. Bo Nix, the franchise quarterback who led Denver to the AFC's No. 1 seed with a stellar 14-3 record, has been ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs after suffering a broken ankle in Saturday's Divisional Round victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Head coach Sean Payton confirmed the news Monday morning, sending shockwaves through the NFL playoffs bracket. The injury forces veteran backup Jarrett Stidham into the spotlight as the Broncos prepare to host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game 2026 next Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.

Bo Nix's Heroic Finish Comes at a Cost

The injury occurred during the chaotic final moments of overtime in Denver's 33-30 win against Buffalo. On a third-down scramble to his left, Nix was tackled awkwardly, fracturing a bone in his right ankle. In a display of grit that will likely become Broncos lore, the young star refused to leave the field, limping through the final two plays to set up the game-winning field goal.

"He's heartbroken, but he's a warrior," Payton told reporters Monday. "To finish that drive on a broken ankle tells you everything you need to know about Bo Nix. He gave us a chance to play for a title, and now it's on us to finish the job for him."

Nix's sophomore campaign has been nothing short of MVP-caliber, throwing for over 3,900 yards and 29 touchdowns. His absence leaves a massive void in an offense that has been humming with efficiency all season. The Bo Nix injury update shifts the betting lines and the entire complexion of the AFC playoffs, putting immense pressure on the Broncos' defense and run game to step up.

Jarrett Stidham vs. The Patriots: A Revenge Game?

The narrative for Sunday's showdown couldn't be scripted better. Jarrett Stidham, who began his career as a fourth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2019, will now try to end their season and send Denver to Super Bowl LX.

Stidham signed a two-year extension with Denver in March 2025, a move Payton called "vital insurance" at the time. That insurance policy is now the team's only hope. While Stidham has only started four games in his seven-year career—holding a 1-3 record—he has been immersed in Payton's system for three seasons.

Payton's Confidence in Stidham

"We aren't changing the offense," Payton insisted. "Jarrett has been ready for this moment. I said back in training camp that we have two starting-caliber quarterbacks. Sunday is his opportunity to prove it."

Stidham faces a Patriots defense that just stifled the Houston Texans in their own Divisional Round win. New England's secondary has been opportunistic, meaning Stidham must avoid the turnovers that plagued his limited action in Las Vegas and New England.

History Favors the Backup?

Despite the doom and gloom among some fans, history offers a glimmer of hope. Former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles took to social media to remind Denver Broncos news followers that the Patriots have a strange history of struggling against backup quarterbacks in championship moments, famously losing Super Bowl LII to Foles' Eagles.

"A positive note going into the game versus the Patriots is that they struggle against backup QBs in championship-type games," Foles tweeted, rallying the Broncos Country faithful.

AFC Championship Game 2026 Outlook

The Broncos vs Patriots matchup revives one of the NFL's most storied playoff rivalries. Denver owns the home-field advantage, and the thin air at Mile High will be a factor. However, without Nix's mobility and improvisation, the Broncos will likely lean heavily on their ground attack and a defense that ranked top-5 in the league this year.

For Stidham, it's the chance of a lifetime: beat his former team, replace a fallen star, and etch his name in Denver history alongside backups-turned-legends. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM MT next Sunday.