Stidham To Start For Injured Bo Nix for Broncos In Huge Game

It was euphoria for about 45 minutes this past Saturday, after the Denver Broncos defeated the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs to advance to the conference championship game, hosting the New England Patriots this weekend at Mile High.

For a while after the game, social media was on fire with people talking about the game, celebrating, letting excitement do the talking.

Related: Broncos Defeat Bills in Divisional Round; Advance to AFC Championship

Then all of a sudden - if you follow the Denver Broncos on social media - Sean Payton popped up on your screen again. But he already did his post-game press conference. And why is he wearing street clothes? What is he talking about?

As you joined that presser already in progress, you started asking "WHO is he talking about?" Did he just say "Stiddy" was going to start this weekend? WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Get our free mobile app

Surely this is AI or some kind of elaborate online hoax, right? Even Peyton Manning thought so, texting team officials direct to find out what was going on.

Except - this was no hoax. It was real life.

Minutes after the game against Buffalo ended, the team discovered that on the third to last offensive play of overtime, quarterback Bo Nix suffered a fractured right ankle. He stayed in two more plays, then hobbled over to the sideline. Gave a post-game interview with CBS. Then hit the locker room for x-rays, where it was determined his ankle was snapped and he'll need surgery this week - ending his season the week before his team will play in the AFC Championship game for the first time in a decade.

QB2 - now QB1 - Jarrett Stidham will get the start vs. New England this weekend.

For some, it's all doom and gloom. For others, people are optimistic all will be well. No matter which camp you fall in, it will be must-see-tv this weekend as we all cross our fingers tightly the Broncos' season goes on after this weekend, for just one more game: the Super Bowl.