With Bo Nix out for the rest of the postseason, here are three ways the Denver Broncos can make the Super Bowl with Jarrett Stidham.
The Denver Broncos Can Reach the Super Bowl With Jarrett Stidham
3. Efficient running game
The Denver Broncos have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL this season, and they will be required to have their best performance to date against New England on Sunday. It’s going to have to start with the run blocking, as an effective run game will take the pressure off of Stidham and keep the Broncos offense ahead of the sticks. If Denver struggles to run the ball, it could lead to them playing behind the sticks, which will be tough for Stidham, who will be seeing live action for the first time since 2023
The running back rotation of RJ Harvey, Jalen McLaughlin, and the hopeful return of J.K. Dobbins won’t need to be spectacular; they just have to make sure they are gaining positive yardage every carry they see. Harvey made plays in the divisional round and had the highest missed tackles forced rate in the Divisional Round, according to Pro Football Focus.
2. Broncos’ Defense continues to force turnovers
The Broncos forced four Josh Allen turnovers in the Divisional Round and will need to replicate that performance against the Patriots. Last week, the Patriots were fortunate enough to make enough plays to win; however, New England has had turnover problems in both its wild-card and divisional-round games.
Against the Chargers in the wild-card round, MVP Candidate Drake Maye had one interception and two fumbles, losing one of them. Against the Houston Texans in the divisional round, Maye had four fumbles, lost two, and threw another interception. Maye will play his first road playoff game Sunday in a tough environment in Denver. The Broncos’ defense is more than capable of forcing turnovers on Maye or the rest of the Patriots’ offense, as they have been doing it all season long.
Keeping the Patriots offense in check will keep Stidham out of high-leverage situations and give the ball back to the offense, helping them continue to score against the Patriots.
1. Sean Payton trusting Stidham
Sean Payton hand-picked Stidham to be his backup quarterback when he first took the job in Denver a couple of seasons ago, so there is a trust level built up there. Because Stidham has been in this system for a couple of years, Payton has trust that he could go out and execute whatever he calls.
During his time in New Orleans, Payton has had successful stretches with his backup quarterbacks. Teddy Bridgewater went 5-1 as the backup to Drew Brees after Brees hurt his hand. Jameis Winston also went 5-2 with Payton as a backup.
Even though Bo Nix can athletically do things Stidham can’t, Stidham’s limitations won’t affect how Payton coaches. Payton has never been a coach who coached scared or tried to find ways to hide his quarterbacks. There is a trust factor between Nix and Payton, and if the Broncos are going to go down, Payton will make sure they go down swinging.
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