The New England Patriots are back in familiar territory - the AFC Championship Game - after taking care of business against the Houston Texans on Sunday. But the road to another Super Bowl appearance won’t be without its twists, especially with the Denver Broncos waiting in the wings.
Denver, fresh off a gritty win over the Buffalo Bills, will be without starting quarterback Bo Nix, who suffered a broken ankle that ends his postseason run. It's a brutal blow for a team that had found its rhythm late in the season, and now they'll turn to backup Jarrett Stidham to carry the load in the biggest game of the year.
That’s where things get interesting.
Former NFL quarterback Nick Foles chimed in during the aftermath of the Patriots’ win, offering a pointed reminder that New England hasn’t always handled backup quarterbacks well in high-stakes situations. And Foles would know - he authored one of the most iconic underdog performances in NFL history when he led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl LII win over the Patriots.
“Note for the Broncos and their fans: I know it has been an emotional 24 hours,” Foles said. “I feel for Bo and the team, and I'm sending prayers for a strong recovery. A positive note going into the game versus the Patriots is that they struggle against backup QBs in championship-type games.”
That’s not just talk - Foles backed it up on the biggest stage. He threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns in that Super Bowl win, including the now-legendary “Philly Special” trick play that instantly became part of NFL lore. The Patriots, led by Tom Brady and coached by Bill Belichick, were stunned by a backup who played like anything but.
But let’s be clear - this isn’t the same situation.
Foles was no ordinary backup. At the time, he had already been to a Pro Bowl and had proven he could win games when called upon. He was a seasoned, confident veteran who stepped into a loaded offense and made it work.
Jarrett Stidham, on the other hand, is still trying to find his footing in the league. He’s thrown for just over 1,400 yards with eight career touchdown passes and has never started a playoff game. This is uncharted territory for him - but it’s also a unique opportunity.
There is a bit of poetic symmetry to this matchup, though. Stidham spent two seasons in New England, learning the system and backing up Tom Brady before eventually moving on. Now, he gets a shot at his former team, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
For the Patriots, this is a moment to prove they’re still the team that thrives in January, no matter who lines up across from them. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that underestimating a backup quarterback - especially in the postseason - can be a dangerous game.