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Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham was the team’s only chance to advance to the Super Bowl on Sunday against the New England Patriots, and he showed he wasn’t going to back down from the challenge.
The journeyman quarterback had a failed first down. However, on the second one, he really set the stage for what the Patriots will have to face.
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Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) fights against the New England Patriots during the first half of the AFC NFL championship football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Stidham and the Broncos faced third down again early in the game. But Stidham found receiver Marvin Mims flying over Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Stidham threw a perfect pass to the wide receiver and put Denver in the red zone.
The 52-yard play set up the Broncos’ score two plays later. Stidham found Courtland Sutton for a 6-yard touchdown pass to give the Broncos the early lead.
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This campaign impressed NFL fans who followed the game on social media.
But the honeymoon would only last a few more minutes before a crucial mistake led to a Patriots score. With 2:58 left in the first half, Stidham’s rushed throw to take the ball out of his hands instead of taking a sack was ruled a backwards pass.
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham is tackled by New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones during the first half of the NFL AFC Championship football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Patriots got the ball back, and two plays later, Drake Maye threw the ball into the end zone from 6 yards out and helped tie the game with just over two minutes left.
He guided the Broncos down the field before halftime, but Will Lutz missed a go-ahead field goal with 20 seconds left.
Denver and New England were tied 7-7.
Stidham was 12 of 21 with 123 passing yards, one touchdown pass and three sacks.
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham warms up before the AFC NFL Championship football game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Stidham was making his first start of the 2025 season and first career playoff start. He was a fourth-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2019 and spent one season as Tom Brady’s backup before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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He was with the Patriots until the 2022 season, when the Patriots traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders. He then signed with the Broncos in 2023.
