NBA

The Broncos defense should carry the team again as backup QB Stidham is set to start the AFC championship game

ballervisions 2026年1月20日

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – Denver’s defense carried Peyton Manning to the wire in Super Bowl 50 and Vance Joseph’s team will likely have to lead the way for the Broncos to return to Levi’s Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area for Super Bowl 60.

The Broncos (15-3) will host the New England Patriots (16-3) in the AFC Championship game on Sunday with a quarterback QB making his first start in more than two years, a depleted receiving corps and little game to speak of unless JK Dobbins somehow returns to work in mid-November.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that the Broncos are opening the practice window for Dobbins, whose injury was suspected to be season-ending, giving the Broncos a chance to bring him back on Sunday. This person spoke and asked that his name be withheld because the team did not announce the move.

Bo Nix broke his right ankle on Denver’s game-winning drive in overtime as the Broncos wrestled away their biggest win in a decade from Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 thriller that sent both tears and barbs into the Bills locker room.

Jarrett Stidham, who has appeared in 20 games in six NFL seasons, starting four and winning one, will join Nix, who will undergo surgery Tuesday in Birmingham, Alabama. Save for the preseason, Stidham hasn’t started a game — or thrown a ball — in more than two years.

“He’ll be ready to go and ready for now,” coach Sean Payton said.

Because Nix’s injury wasn’t announced until an hour after the game and the locker room was already closed, Monday provided the first opportunity for teammates to comment on Nix’s injury and their quarterback situation.

“First of all, it’s obviously very sad for Bo,” Mike McGlinchey said. “He’s worked hard to get here. He’s led this team every step of the way since he walked into this building. … As for Stiddy, I think I’m going to build on the confidence that Sean showed there because having Stiddy the last three years … this guy loves football. And he’s been taking everything we’ve been ready to do with this opportunity.”

All-Pro defensive lineman Zach Allen echoed those sentiments, saying, “Bo is a big part of us getting to this point so we feel bad … but we have a lot of faith in Stiddy,” who he said is the first look every day and always tests the defense in practice, “so we’re excited to see what he does this week.”

As for Dobbins’ possible return, McGlinchey called him “a big piece of strength for our team,” and said, “It would be a good boost if he’s healthy.”

Stidham will likely be without the Broncos’ two best receivers after Troy Franklin pulled a hamstring and Pat Bryant was concussed for the second time in a month as the Broncos won for the first time since Super Bowl 50.

What works

Denver’s defense heeded Payton’s command before the playoffs to produce more takeaways after the Broncos went 3-3 in turnover differential during the season despite an NFL-leading 68 sacks and a record. They forced these Bills into five changes.

What needs help

The Broncos ground game is almost non-existent compared to the Bills with Nix leading the way with 29 yards on 12 carries. Jaleel McLaughlin had 21 yards on four carries and rookie RJ Harvey had 20 yards on six carries.

Buy it

OLB Nik Bonitto had a sack and forced both of Allen’s fumbles. He became the third Denver quarterback to force the most fumbles in a playoff game, joining LB Tom Jackson and OLB Von Miller. Special teams safety and All-Pro ace Devon Key recovered a fumble by James Cooks, PJ Locke saved a touchdown with an interception and Ja’Quan McMillian’s interception as he stripped Brandin Cooks of the ball in overtime set up the Broncos’ game-winning drive that ended with Wil Lutz’s chip-shot field goal. Talanoa Hufanga and Malcolm Roach recovered Allen’s fouls that were forced by Bonitto.

Stock down

Denver’s rushing attack – but Dobbins offers a glimmer of hope.

Injury

Bryant was hit for the second time in a month. He had three catches for 32 yards in Denver’s opener on Saturday before leaving the game with a head injury. Franklin pulled a hamstring early in the game and was goalless.

Important statistics

– Lutz’s 4 field goals in 4 chances, tied for second-most by a Broncos kicker in team playoff history, behind only Brandon McManus’ five against Pittsburgh following the 2015 season. Lutz also made all three of his extra points.

— 3 TD passes from Nix against the league’s No. 1 pass defense tied with John Elway and Manning for the most touchdown passes in a Broncos playoff game. Elway did it three times and Manning did it against Baltimore following the 2012 season.

Next steps

The Broncos host the Patriots, who have lost all four of their playoff games in Denver, for the right to play either the Seattle Seahawks (15-3) or the Los Angeles Rams (14-5) in the Super Bowl on Feb. 8.

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