The Broncos came out of the gate looking flat - their first five offensive snaps went nowhere fast. But then came play No. 6, and it flipped the early narrative on its head.
Jarrett Stidham, stepping in under center, let it fly deep downfield, and Marvin Mims did the rest. The rookie wideout tracked the ball beautifully and hauled in a 52-yard bomb, breathing life into an offense that had just sputtered through a three-and-out and a pair of incompletions to start their second possession.
Two plays later, Stidham kept the momentum rolling by finding Courtland Sutton on a quick six-yard strike for the touchdown. Just like that, Denver had a 7-0 lead with 10:19 left in the first quarter - a sudden burst of efficiency after a sluggish start.
It wasn’t like the Patriots were lighting it up on their end either. Their opening drive stalled just as quickly, resulting in a three-and-out of their own. Both teams came out of the tunnel feeling each other out, but Denver’s second possession showed a spark - and maybe a sign of things to come.
For the Broncos, that early deep shot wasn’t just a highlight - it was a statement. Mims’ ability to stretch the field adds a much-needed vertical element to the offense, and Stidham showed he’s not afraid to take that shot when the opportunity presents itself. After a rocky start, Denver found its rhythm - and the scoreboard reflected it.