The Denver Broncos celebrated a thrilling 33-30 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs on Saturday, but their joy was quickly overshadowed by serious injury news concerning quarterback Bo Nix. Late in overtime, Nix suffered a broken right ankle, requiring surgery that will end his season. Coach Sean Payton confirmed the injury during a postgame press conference, revealing that Nix would undergo the procedure on March 5, 2024, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Nix sustained the injury while attempting a keeper play that resulted in a loss of two yards. He was tackled by Bills safety Cole Bishop. Despite limping off the field, there were no immediate indications of the severity of the injury. Remarkably, Nix continued to play, throwing a deep pass to Marvin Mims Jr. that drew a 30-yard pass-interference penalty, advancing the Broncos into field-goal range. He then centered the ball for Wil Lutz, who kicked the game-ending 23-yard field goal.
In the aftermath, Payton expressed confidence in backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who will step in as the starter for the upcoming AFC Championship game. Stidham, who holds a record of 1-3 as a starter in six NFL seasons, is set to lead the team after this significant setback. “Stiddy’s ready,” Payton assured the media, emphasizing the depth of the team.
Nix, the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has had an impressive season, tying Russell Wilson’s record for the most wins by a quarterback in his first two seasons, with a total of 24 victories. This playoff win marked his first postseason victory, a highlight for the young quarterback who guided the Broncos to the AFC’s top seed this season.
During a postgame interview with CBS, Nix did not mention his injury and appeared optimistic about the team’s future. “It’s great to have home-field advantage in a situation like this. It’s exciting. This is why you play the game, this is why you compete,” he stated.
Payton commented on Nix’s resilience, highlighting the quarterback’s strong faith and determination. “He’s such a strong, faith-based guy,” he said. “He knows that God’s got a plan for him.” Payton added a light-hearted remark about Nix’s previous ankle injuries during high school and at Auburn, noting that he was unaware of Nix’s history of such injuries before drafting him.
As the Broncos prepare for the AFC Championship game, they face the challenge of overcoming the loss of their starting quarterback. Payton believes the team has the character to rise to the occasion, stating, “This team all year has lost key players and will rise up for the next challenge.”
The Bills, on the other hand, are dealing with their own aftermath from the game, including a series of emotional responses from their players and coaching staff. Quarterback Josh Allen was notably upset after the loss, expressing his frustration with how the season ended.
As the Broncos move forward, the focus will be on how Stidham adapts to the starting role, especially with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The upcoming game promises to be a test of resilience for a team that has faced numerous challenges throughout the season.
