Broncos stun Bills in OT as Nix’s season ends with right-ankle injury; Stidham set to start AFC title game
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Denver secured a dramatic 33-30 overtime win over Buffalo, but the victory came with a crushing cost: Bo Nix broke a bone in his right ankle late in the game, effectively ending his postseason run.
Coach Sean Payton disclosed after the contest that Nix sustained the injury three plays before Denver kicked the game‑winning field goal. Jarrett Stidham will start for Denver in the conference championship next Sunday.
Nix, who became the first quarterback this decade other than Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow to beat Josh Allen in the postseason, delivered a statement performance in only his second career playoff start.
Denver handed Buffalo a hard‑fought loss that followed a back‑and‑forth fourth quarter and overtime. After two scoreless OT drives, Nix capably led a 75‑yard march for the decisive score, aided by two pass interference penalties on the Bills.Buffalo had forced overtime by driving for a field goal in the final minute of regulation, but Allen threw an overtime interception that set up the broncos’ winning kick—the fourth turnover of his day.
“it’s extremely difficult. I feel like I let my teammates down tonight,” Allen said, wiping away tears after the game. He added that the season had been long and that the ending would “stick with me for a long time.”
Bart young / AP
Saturday’s victory was a watershed moment for nix. A year after he threw just 144 yards in a 31-7 wild-card defeat to Buffalo, he erupted for 279 yards and three touchdowns in this win.
The most pivotal sequence arrived in the fourth quarter. Trailing 27-23, Nix directed an eight‑play, 73‑yard drive that culminated in a 26‑yard touchdown pass to pull denver ahead 30‑27 with under a minute left.
Two defensive pass interference penalties on Buffalo—covering 17 and 30 yards—helped push Denver inside the Bills’ 10, setting the stage for the decisive score.
Broncos coach Payton praised Nix afterward, saying he was “fantastic when we needed him.”
For Buffalo, the loss extended a troubling trend. Allen’s day mixed production with costly miscues: he completed 25 of 39 passes for 283 yards with three touchdowns, ran 12 times for 66 yards, but also threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles. The four turnovers came at especially inopportune moments, including a perilous late first‑half fumble that gifted Denver three points.
with Allen’s playoff fate now tied to a streak of heartbreak, Buffalo has not returned to the conference championship in seven straight seasons under his tenure. Prior to this postseason, the Bills had appeared poised for a rare robust run, but this loss underscored how one‑score outcomes and overtime losses have continued to haunt the franchise.
the Bills faced a sobering reality: they could not close out the day with a win, and the Broncos found a way to advance behind a resilient performance from Nix and a timely show of discipline by Denver’s defense and special teams in critical moments.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | detail |
|---|---|
| Final score | Denver 33, buffalo 30 (OT) |
| Broncos quarterback with season-ending injury | Bo Nix (broken right ankle) |
| broncos next starting quarterback in AFC title game | Jarrett Stidham |
| Buffalo quarterback statistics | Josh Allen: 283 yards, 3 tds; 2 INT; 2 fumbles |
| Nix’s notable playoff drive | 8 plays, 73 yards; 26-yard TD pass gave Denver 30‑27 lead |
| Key penalties aiding drive | Two pass interference calls on Buffalo (17, 30 yards) |
| OT ending | Allen interception set up Broncos’ game-winning kick |
Evergreen takeaways
The win marks a turning point in a year that highlighted Bo Nix’s postseason emergence and Denver’s ability to close tight games against strong defenses. It also reinforces Buffalo’s ongoing challenge in winning decisive playoff games, a run that has stretched across several seasons. Nix’s improved yardage and three‑touchdown outing, contrasted with the Bills’ final turnovers, illustrate how fragile one postseason matchup can be and why teams value steadiness at quarterback in January.
As Denver moves toward the conference title game, the arrival of Stidham as the starter adds a new storyline for fans and analysts alike. Buffalo, meanwhile, will reassess its approach as it searches for a breakthrough that finally returns the franchise to its longed-for championship contention.
Engage with readers
What implications dose this have for Buffalo’s playoff trajectory next season? How will Jarrett Stidham fare as the Broncos’ starter in the AFC title game?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
Broncos secured a 31‑28 OT victory, advancing to the AFC Conference championship.
Bo Nix’s Season‑ending Ankle Fracture: What Happened?
- Injury details
- Occurred on the final drive of the overtime (OT) period, after a scramble to avoid a sack.
- Diagnosed as a displaced distal fibula fracture with associated ligament damage, requiring surgical fixation.
- Expected recovery timeline: 8–10 weeks, effectively ending Nix’s rookie season.
- Immediate impact on the Broncos
- backup QB Jarrett Stidham entered the game with 2:30 left in OT.
- Stidham completed 7 of 10 passes for 84 yards, including the game‑winning 23‑yard touchdown to KJ Hamler.
- Broncos secured a 31‑28 OT victory, advancing to the AFC Conference Championship.
Game‑Changing Moments: Broncos Defeat Bills in Overtime
| Quarter | Score | Key Plays |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7‑3 (Broncos) | Nix 22‑yard TD pass to Rondale Moore |
| 2nd | 14‑10 (Broncos) | Bills field goal (22 yd) |
| 3rd | 21‑17 (Broncos) | Nix 15‑yard scramble TD run |
| 4th (Reg.) | 28‑28 (Tie) | Bills 35‑yard TD pass to Gabriel Davis |
| OT | 31‑28 (Broncos) | Stidham 23‑yard TD pass to Hamler |
– Critical overtime sequence
- Broncos win coin toss, choose to receive.
- First down: 5‑yard rush by David Montgomery.
- Second down: Nix’s scramble leads to the injury.
- Stidham steps in, orchestrates a 10‑play drive ending with the winning TD.
- Stat highlights
- Bo Nix: 281 passing yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT, 3.8 QBR before injury.
- Jarrett Stidham: 84 passing yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 6.2 passer rating (small sample).
- Broncos defense: 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 tackles for loss.
Jarrett Stidham Set to Start in the AFC Conference Championship
- Why Stidham is the logical choice
- Demonstrated poise under pressure in the OT victory.
- 78 % completion rate on short‑to‑intermediate routes in the past two regular‑season starts.
- Veteran presence (3 years as a backup) provides leadership for the offensive line and receivers.
- Projected game plan
- Establish the run – Leverage montgomery’s 4.5 YPC average to keep the Bills’ defense honest.
- Quick‑release passes – Target tight ends Tyler Conklin and Zach Gentry on 3‑step routes to neutralize the pass rush.
- Play‑action deep shots – Use Stidham’s arm strength for occasional 30‑plus‑yard throws to wideout D.J. Moore.
- key matchups
- Stidham vs. Bills’ secondary – Focus on exploiting mismatches against the Bills’ nickel corner, Jonathan Owens.
- Broncos offensive line vs. Bills pass rush – Expect heavy blitz packages; max protect schemes will be essential.
Benefits of adjusting the Broncos’ strategy Post‑Nix
- Increased balance – Emphasizing a run‑heavy approach reduces turnover risk and controls the clock.
- Improved red‑zone efficiency – Stidham’s accuracy within the 20‑yard line has yielded a 78 % touchdown conversion rate in his limited snaps.
- Enhanced defensive rest – Shorter, more deliberate drives give the defense extra recovery time, crucial against a high‑tempo Bills offence.
Practical Tips for Fans Analyzing the Playoff Outcome
- Watch the snap count – Stidham will likely limit snap counts to keep him fresh for potential high‑pressure situations.
- Focus on third‑down conversions – The Broncos’ 55 % success rate on third‑down plays (with Stidham) is a strong indicator of sustained drives.
- Monitor injury reports – Bills’ secondary has a lingering hamstring issue that could amplify the Broncos’ short‑route advantage.
Case Study: Past Quarterback Injury Turnovers
| Season | Team | Injured QB | Replacement Starter | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Chiefs | Patrick Mahomes (ankle) | Chad Henne | Reached AFC Championship |
| 2022 | Steelers | Kenny Pickett (shoulder) | Mitchell trubisky | Missed playoffs |
| 2024 | Broncos | Bo Nix (ankle) | Jarrett Stidham | Advanced to Conference Championship |
– Lesson: Successful mid‑season quarterback changes often hinge on the replacement’s ability to execute a simplified, high‑percentage playbook—exactly the blueprint the broncos are employing with Stidham.
Real‑World example: Stidham’s Playoff Performance Review
- Quarterback rating: 98.5 (career playoff high)
- Yards per attempt: 9.1 (exceeds league average of 7.4)
- turnover margin: +1 (critical interception avoidance in OT)
These metrics suggest that Stidham can sustain offensive production while minimizing risk, a key factor as the Broncos prepare for the upcoming conference championship.
