The Buffalo Bills lost a heartbreaking game to the Denver Broncos, one where quarterback Bo Nix finished the game with what turned out to be a season-ending injury.
The Broncos announced after the game that Nix broke his ankle on the second-to-last play, then finished the game before the team made the game-winning kick.
“HC Sean Payton announced that QB Bo Nix fractured a bone in his ankle on the second-to-last play of the game and will miss the rest of the season. We got your back,” the team shared in a post on X.
The injury could add more heartbreak for the Bills after their 33-30 loss, potentially giving their bitter rivals an easier path to the Super Bowl.
Bo Nix Hurt Just Before Game-Clinching Throw
Nix appeared to suffer the injury on a 1st-and-10 play from Buffalo’s 36-yard line. The Broncos quarterback ran to his left but was tackled by Bills safety Cole Bishop for a loss.
Nix did not appear to be visibly hurt on the play and returned to the huddle, where he threw a deep pass to receiver Marvin Mims Jr. that drew a pass interference on Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White.
White was then flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for arguing the play, setting up the Broncos for a short field goal to give them a 33-30 win and send them off to the AFC Championship game.
But the Broncos will now play without their star quarterback, which could give the winner of Sunday’s game between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans an easy chance at the Super Bowl.
The Broncos now head into the AFC Championship game with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham. As Cory Woodroof of USA Today’s For the Win noted, the Broncos relied heavily on Nix all season and didn’t need to use Stidham often.
Stidham doesn’t have much experience throughout his career, either, appearing in 20 games throughout his career with only four starts.
“It’s NFL veteran Jarrett Stidham, the former Auburn quarterback who has been with the Broncos since 2023,” Woodroof wrote. “He has only played sparingly since the 2023 season, when he played meaningful snaps in two games. He started his career with the New England Patriots and spent a season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022.”
Bills Watched Season End in Heartbreak Before Bo Nix Injury
The Bills had chances to win before Nix led the game-winning drive, including a deep interception on their possession in overtime. Allen found wide receiver Brandin Cooks inside the 10-yard line, but cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian snatched away the ball after Cooks hit the ground and it was ruled an interception.
The play sparked major controversy, with many saying it was clear that Cooks had possession when he hit the ground and that McMillian made contact, which should have ruled the receiver down.
There were two other controversial plays on the next drive, with the Bills being flagged twice for pass interference. The Bills had 53 yards in penalties on the final drive, which set up the Broncos for a short game-winning kick.
Bo Nix’s Season-Ending Injury Adds More Heartbreak for Bills