Winners and losers from the Broncos 10-7 loss to the Patriots

Well, that is how it ends.

Without Bo Nix and in a snowstorm, the Broncos fall just short of advancing to the Super Bowl. They started hot, but made too many costly mistakes throughout and couldn’t get anything going in the second half due to the snow.

It’s a disappointing end to a promising season for the Broncos, who faced long odds of advancing after losing Bo Nix last week. Backup Jarrett Stidham was thrown into the fire and had two costly turnovers, including a backwards pass that led to the Patriots’ only touchdown of the game. The run game couldn’t get anything going, and the Broncos’ pass catchers couldn’t catch the ball once again. On a positive note, the Broncos’ defense dominated throughout, but couldn’t come up with the big turnover as they did vs. the Bills.

With all that said, here are your winners and losers from the Broncos’ 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots.

LOSER – Broncos offense/run game/Stidham

Listen, despite the hype, Jarrett Stidham was in a tough spot. Hasn’t played a regular-season snap in 740+ days, only has 5 starts, and was making his first career postseason start in the AFC Championship Game. He started out hot with a deep throw to Marvin Mims and then a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton, but everything was downhill from there.

Stidham had a costly backwards pass that turned into an eventual Patriots touchdown, an interception on the Broncos’ final offensive drive, and the Broncos’ receivers kept dropping the ball. The run game once again couldn’t get anything going and the Broncos’ offense fell flat without Nix under center.

I am not going to hammer Stidham, but man, hoped for better. Once the snow came, the Broncos’ already struggling offense couldn’t do anything, and that ended up being the game.

WINNER – Broncos defense

They dominated the Patriots throughout the game. The only touchdown they gave up was when the Patriots started at their own 10-yard line. They sacked Maye 5 times but did not force a big turnover like they did vs. the Bills, and that ended up biting them.

Outside of not being able to contain QB Drake Maye, the defense played well today. In the end, it wasn’t good enough to get the win.

The secondary played great and had multiple PBU’s today, including PS2, who shut down whoever was lined up against him.

LOSER – 4th down call

I get why you go for it there. You were feeling it and had the chance to go up 14-0. However, not putting any points on the board there really came back to bite you. Plus, the play call had zero shot of converting since the Patriots had it covered well.

Hindsight helps, but you gotta take the points there. Take a two-score lead, let your defense dominate, and take some pressure off your backup quarterback.

In the end, you take 3 off the board and lose the game by 3 points. Not good.

LOSER – Kicker Wil Lutz

He has been automatic all season, but went 0 for 2 today when the Broncos needed him the most. The elements sucked, but you gotta make the kicks in these moments.

The first was a 50+ yarder that tailed off target, and the other was in the heavy snow and tipped, which sent it off target. It sucks, but when you lose by 3 and miss two field goals, it is what it is.

WINNER – Bo Nix

This game proved how important Nix is to this team and offense. They didn’t look the same and lacked the late game fire that we have grown used to seeing.

They say you don’t appreciate something fully until it’s gone. Well, I appreciate Bo Nix even more now.

WINNER – Broncos’ future

They went 14-3, advanced to the AFC Championship game, were the one seed, won the AFC West, and proved to everyone that they are legit contenders in the AFC. Quarterback Bo Nix is the real deal, and now they have to build around him.

Get him a run game. Find him some weapons. Your Super Bowl window is now, and you need to capitalize on it.

Other Winners and Losers

• LOSER – Drops: They led the NFL in drops, and that continued again today. Can’t continue to happen.
• LOSER – Run game: Without JK Dobbins, they couldn’t run the ball. Need to seriously invest in that position this offseason.
• WINNER – Broncos pass rush: 5 sacks and got after Drake Maye all game
• LOSER – RJ Harvey: 2.8 yards per carry
• LOSER – Snow: The elements ended any chance the Broncos had of winning this game. The new ownership, who’s paying for a new stadium, likely took note of this.
• LOSER – No Bo Nix: They win this game if they had Nix