Jarrett Stidham Criticizes Broncos’ Offense After Patriots Defeat

Jarrett Stidham, the quarterback for the Denver Broncos, faced a challenging situation during the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots. This pivotal matchup ended in a narrow 10-7 loss, eliminating the Broncos from the playoff picture.

Stidham’s Performance Under Pressure

Stidham, making just his fifth start in seven years, replaced the injured Bo Nix. He began the game with promise, throwing a remarkable pass over 50 yards to set up a touchdown. This score marked the first—and ultimately the only—points for Denver.

As the game progressed, however, the Broncos’ offense struggled significantly. Stidham threw a crucial interception on Denver’s last offensive drive. Additionally, the team faced two consecutive three-and-out scenarios and missed a critical field goal attempt that could have tied the game.

Defensive Standouts

Despite the offensive woes, the Broncos’ defense held strong against Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. They restricted him to a mere 86 passing yards and allowed only one rushing touchdown. Nonetheless, they could not secure a win when Stidham faltered under pressure.

Key Game Moments

In his post-game remarks, Stidham identified two pivotal moments that impacted the game. The first was a failed fourth-down conversion attempt. Stidham commented, “I felt like the first half we really moved the ball well.” He lamented the missed opportunity to extend their lead.

The second crucial play was his fumble in the second quarter, which directly led to a Patriots touchdown. Stidham admitted, “I can’t put our team in a bad position like that,” acknowledging his responsibility in the game-changing moment.

Weather’s Impact

The weather conditions played a significant role in the game. Snow fell heavily at Empower Field, challenging both teams. However, Stidham did not attribute the loss to the weather. He stated, “The conditions are what they are. Both teams were playing in it.”

Looking Ahead

Stidham concluded his day with 133 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception, alongside three sacks. Despite the disappointment, he showed resilience and received support from Nix after the game. The Broncos, finishing the season at 14-3, will be remembered as unexpected AFC West champions, even though they fell short of their Super Bowl aspirations.

Stidham’s experience as an underdog dates back to his time at Auburn, where he upset two top-ranked teams in 2017. However, the AFC Championship proved to be a different challenge, highlighting the unpredictability of postseason football.