The Denver Broncos are back in the AFC Championship Game-and for the first time since their Super Bowl 50 run in 2015, Mile High will be the stage for the conference title clash. After a dramatic overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round, Denver is one win away from the Super Bowl. But the celebration came with a gut punch: rookie quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle late in the game and is done for the postseason.
Head coach Sean Payton confirmed the news, and it’s a brutal blow for a team that’s been riding a wave of momentum. Nix, who had steadily grown into his role throughout the season, will undergo surgery and begin the long road to recovery. That leaves the Broncos turning to Jarrett Stidham-who now steps into the biggest moment of his career, with a trip to Super Bowl LX on the line.
But amid the setback, there's a flicker of good news that could shift the offensive outlook heading into the AFC title game: running back J.K. Dobbins might be on the verge of returning.
Dobbins was spotted working on a side field this past week, marking his first on-field activity since foot surgery earlier in the season. While he won’t be available for the AFC Championship Game, there’s growing optimism that-should the Broncos advance-he could potentially suit up for the Super Bowl.
It’s not a guarantee, but it’s not nothing either. And for Denver, even the possibility of getting Dobbins back is significant.
In just 10 games this year, Dobbins racked up 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns, anchoring a ground attack that ranked among the league’s most efficient when he was in the lineup. He was on pace for over 1,300 rushing yards, and his vision, burst, and ability to grind out tough yards gave the Broncos a reliable offensive identity. Since his injury, Denver’s run game hasn’t quite looked the same.
Now, with Nix sidelined and the offense needing a spark, the return of Dobbins-even if it’s still a week or two away-could be a game-changer.
As for Stidham, he’s no stranger to the spotlight. While he doesn’t bring the same mobility or playmaking upside as Nix, he’s a steady hand with a strong understanding of Payton’s system. And with Denver’s defense playing at a high level, the Broncos don’t necessarily need Stidham to be a hero-they just need him to steer the ship.
That defense, by the way, just held one of the league’s most explosive offenses in check. Buffalo had been firing on all cylinders, but Denver’s unit rose to the occasion.
If they can carry that same energy into the AFC title game-whether it’s against C.J. Stroud’s Texans or a resurgent Patriots squad-Denver will have a real shot.
We’ll know by Sunday night who’s coming to town, but one thing’s clear: the Broncos are still very much in the mix. They’ve got home-field advantage, a defense that can win games, and a chance-however slim-to get one of their most dynamic offensive weapons back in time for the biggest stage.
It’s been a decade since playoff football came to Denver. Now, with the Super Bowl in sight, the Broncos are writing a new chapter-and it’s got all the drama, adversity, and grit you’d expect from a team that just won’t go away.