Bo Nix Out for Season: Broncos Reach AFC Championship But Lose Star QB to Broken Ankle

In a cruel twist of fate, the Denver Broncos' most successful season in a decade has been overshadowed by devastating news: rookie quarterback Bo Nix will miss the AFC Championship Game after fracturing his right ankle in Saturday's overtime thriller against the Buffalo Bills. According to The Denver Post, Nix will undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday.

Injury Occurred on Final Drive

Head coach Sean Payton revealed that Nix was hurt on a quarterback keeper where he lost 2 yards and was tackled by Bills safety Cole Bishop — the second-to-last play of overtime. CNN reports that despite the injury, the Broncos secured a dramatic 33-30 overtime victory to advance to their first AFC Championship Game since the 2015 season.

Nix's Heroic Final Performance

Before the injury, Nix delivered one of the finest performances of his rookie campaign. According to NBC News, he threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns in the dramatic win, outdueling fellow star quarterback Josh Allen, who is now 0-7 in overtime games.

Stidham Steps Into the Spotlight

Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham will now start in the conference championship — a daunting task for a player who has played just one snap this season (taking a knee in October) and hasn't thrown a regular-season pass since 2023. Yahoo Sports notes that Stidham's four career NFL starts are the fewest of any player to start in an AFC Championship Game.

Super Bowl Odds Shift Dramatically

The injury has significantly impacted Denver's championship hopes. According to FOX Sports, the Broncos went from +325 to +900 Super Bowl odds on BetMGM following the announcement — reflecting bookmakers' concerns about the backup quarterback situation.

The Broncos' Next Challenge

Denver will host the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, January 25 at Empower Field at Mile High. They will face the winner of Sunday's game between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. The 29-year-old Stidham, a former Auburn standout who has bounced around the league, now carries the weight of a franchise's Super Bowl dreams.

The Broncos finished the regular season 14-3 with Nix at quarterback, their best record since Peyton Manning's final championship season. Now they must prove they can win without the rookie sensation who brought them back to relevance.