From Stephenville to the AFC Championship

Flash staff report
January 17, 2026

DENVER — With Bo Nix ruled out for the remainder of the postseason due to a season-ending ankle fracture suffered in Denver’s dramatic 33–30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills, the Denver Broncos have announced backup Jarrett Stidham, a 2015 Stephenville HS grad, will start next week’s AFC Championship Game. Nix’s injury occurred late in the divisional round and leaves Stidham as Denver’s signal-caller against either the New England Patriots or Houston Texans.

Stidham’s promotion to starter makes for an intriguing subplot to this year’s NFL playoffs. He is stepping into the biggest game of his career with minimal playoff experience and a limited regular-season workload. Still, Broncos head coach Sean Payton has expressed confidence in his readiness to lead the team in the biggest game of the season.

The Broncos’ postseason run now hinges on Stidham, as Denver will face either the New England Patriots or Houston Texans, setting up dramatically different challenges.

If Denver faces New England

• Defense: Patriots rank among the league’s best in situational football, particularly red-zone defense and third-down efficiency.
• Storyline: Stidham would face the franchise that drafted him in 2019, coached by staff familiar with his tendencies.
• Key Matchup: Stidham vs. New England’s disguised coverages and late rotations.

If Denver faces Houston

• Defense: Texans feature a fast, aggressive front seven that thrives on pressure and turnovers.
• Tempo: Houston prefers an up-tempo offense, increasing pressure on Denver’s offense to sustain drives.
• Key Matchup: Stidham vs. the Texans’ pass rush, particularly on early downs.

While there are disadvantages, there are several strategic advantages to this situation. Stidham has spent time in New England, Las Vegas and Denver, giving him familiarity with diverse offensive philosophies. As Yellow Jacket fans well know, Stidham is a student of the game and coaches have consistently praised his preparation and command of the playbook. Also, with limited recent tape, opposing defenses may have fewer tendencies to exploit compared to a full-season starter like Nix.

However, there is no denying the disadvantages. Stidham enters the AFC Championship with just four career regular-season starts, a rarity at this stage of the playoffs. His career touchdown-to-interception ratio (8–8) underscores the importance of avoiding forced throws and the need for the offensive line to give him time to settle into the role. The speed and complexity of postseason defenses often challenge quarterbacks with minimal recent game reps.

For Denver, the formula should be clear: protect Stidham, lean on the running game and let the defense dictate tempo. Stidham doesn’t need to outduel the opposing quarterback; he needs time to manage the moment and get used to such a high-pressure game. Which, again, Stephenville fans know he is capable of.

In a postseason defined by unexpected turns, Stidham now finds himself at the center of the Broncos’ Super Bowl hopes and with a chance to author one of the most unlikely conference championship stories in recent NFL history.