The Denver Broncos were riding high after their dramatic 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round. With that victory, they earned the right to host the AFC Championship Game-momentum was on their side, the home crowd would be behind them, and the Super Bowl felt within reach.
But football, as we know, doesn’t always follow the script.
Moments after that emotional win, the Broncos were hit with a gut punch: quarterback Bo Nix had suffered a broken bone in his ankle. Just like that, their rookie signal-caller-who had grown into the role and helped guide them through a surprising playoff run-was ruled out for the AFC title game.
In stepped Jarrett Stidham, a veteran backup who hadn’t thrown a pass in a regular-season game since 2023. That’s a tall order in any setting, but especially when the stakes are sky-high and the opponent is the New England Patriots.
And then came the snow.
What started as a light flurry turned into a full-blown blizzard by the second half. Visibility dropped, footing became treacherous, and both offenses were forced to grind through the elements.
After a 7-7 first half, the Patriots managed a field goal early in the third quarter-and that was it. No more points were scored.
The Broncos fell 10-7 in a game that will be remembered as much for the weather as the result.
Despite the brutal conditions and the loss of their starting quarterback, head coach Sean Payton didn’t waste time making changes. He parted ways with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, as well as wide receivers coach Keary Colbert and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch.
The message was clear: the Broncos may have exceeded expectations this season, but Payton isn’t interested in moral victories. He’s building something long-term, and he wants an offense that can go toe-to-toe with the league’s elite-regardless of injuries or weather.
Statistically, the Broncos finished middle-of-the-pack in scoring, ranking 14th in points per game at 23.6. Their ground game was similarly average, finishing 16th with 118.7 rushing yards per contest. That’s not bad, but it’s not the kind of production that defines a Super Bowl contender.
J.K. Dobbins was the team’s leading rusher, putting up 772 yards and 4 touchdowns on 153 carries despite playing in only 10 games.
His season ended in Week 10 with a Lisfranc injury against the Raiders. In his absence, rookie RJ Harvey stepped up, playing all 17 games and contributing 540 yards and 7 scores.
Solid production, but the Broncos could still use a true difference-maker in the backfield.
Enter Breece Hall.
The Jets may have stumbled to a 3-14 finish, but Hall didn’t let the team’s struggles slow him down. He racked up 1,064 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 243 carries, with 57 of those runs moving the chains.
He also added 350 receiving yards on 36 catches and proved he can be a dual-threat weapon. Hall’s blend of vision, burst, and balance makes him one of the most intriguing free agent backs on the market-and he’s still only scratching the surface of what he can be in the right offense.
If Denver wants to give Nix (or whoever’s under center) a more dynamic support system, Hall makes a lot of sense. He’s the kind of back who can flip field position in a heartbeat and take pressure off the quarterback with his ability to create yards after contact and catch passes out of the backfield.
Another name to watch: Kenneth Walker III. The Seahawks back is also headed for free agency, but his future may hinge on how Seattle finishes the postseason. If he shines on the biggest stage, expect the Seahawks to do everything they can to keep him in the fold.
Back in Denver, the passing game already features a legitimate No. 1 option in Courtland Sutton. The veteran wideout turned in another strong campaign with 74 catches for 1,017 yards and 7 touchdowns. He’s the kind of receiver who demands attention on every snap, but he could use a running mate to take some of the heat off.
That’s where Alec Pierce could come in.
The Colts wideout quietly had a breakout year, hauling in 47 passes for 1,003 yards and 6 touchdowns. What jumps off the page is his 21.3 yards per catch-Pierce didn’t just move the chains, he flipped the field.
He’s a vertical threat with sharp route-running ability and a knack for making contested catches. Even with inconsistent quarterback play in Indianapolis following Daniel Jones’ injury, Pierce emerged as a reliable big-play option.
Forty-one of his receptions went for first downs.
For Sean Payton, a receiver like Pierce could be the missing piece. His ability to stretch the field would open up space underneath for Sutton and the tight ends, while also pulling defenders out of the box to give the run game more breathing room. In short, he’s the kind of complementary weapon who could elevate the entire offense.
The Broncos took a big step forward this season, pushing deep into the playoffs and showing they can compete with the AFC’s best. But Payton isn’t satisfied with “good enough.” He’s already looking at how to upgrade the roster-especially on offense-and the moves he makes this offseason could determine whether Denver stays in the contender conversation or takes another leap into serious Super Bowl territory.