The New England Patriots and the Houston Texans just received some major news that could alter either team’s path to the Super Bowl.
On Saturday, the Denver Broncos defeated the Buffalo Bills in overtime to punch their ticket to the AFC Championship game. However, after the game, head coach Sean Payton announced that quarterback Bo Nix broke his ankle on the second-to-last play of the game, ending his season. He is set to undergo surgery on Tuesday.
Jarrett Stidham will start for the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, with Sam Ehlinger now serving as the backup.
Oh, and not to mention, that Stidham used to play for the Patriots, so he could be facing off against his former team with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
Twitter Reacts To The Bo Nix News
Head coach Sean Payton said he injured it on the second-to-last play of overtime.
(📺 CBS)
“WOW tomorrow’s stakes just got even bigger,” the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed wrote.
Wow! Tomorrow’s game is a big one,” Mark Daniels, a Patriots reporter for MassLive, commented.
“Based on Sean Payton’s comments, the ankle injury to Bo Nix happened on this designed quarterback run, which came two plays before he took a knee to set up the game-winning field goal. Nix didn’t appear injured and stayed in the game. Really unfortunate,” sportswriter Dan Kelley posted.
“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 10,” the Denver Broncos posted.
“Jarrett Stidham played one snap this season — a kneeldown in October. He hasn’t thrown a regular-season pass since 2023, when he started two games after Denver benched Russell Wilson. In eight days, Stidham will start the AFC Championship Game,” Tom Pelissero said.
“Just brutal news for the Broncos. Feel awful for Bo Nix, who delivered some huge moments in the thrilling win,” Field Yates stated.
Jarrett Stidham Is A Familiar Face For Patriots Fans
GettyJarrett Stidham
While the Patriots still have to face the Texans on Sunday, if they win, they will be going up against a familiar face. Stidham was selected by New England in the fourth-round pick (133 overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He served as Tom Brady’s backup during his rookie season, and then was viewed as a potential successor for the legendary quarterback when he left to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the Patriots brought in Cam newton instead, with Stidham moving down to third-string quarterback behind Brian Hoyer.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Stidham was traded to the Raiders, reuniting him with Josh McDaniels, who was Las Vegas’ head coach at the time. There he started two games after the Raiders benched Derek Carr. Then, ahead of the 2023 season, he signed a two-year deal with the Broncos, starting the final two games for Denver when the benched Russell Wilson. Before this season, he signed a two-year extension.
Across his career, Stidham has played in 20 games, with 117 completions for 1,422 passing yards and eight passing touchdowns along with eight interceptions.
But, what’s most concerning for the Broncos is he has yet to throw a pass in a regular-season game since 2023.
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