Bo Nix's fractured right ankle has sent the Denver Broncos' AFC championship odds into a tailspin. Bookmakers immediately slashed Denver's Super Bowl futures from +370 to +1100 after the quarterback's injury was confirmed, with analysts estimating his absence is worth 5-7 points on the spread. The Broncos now enter their title game as significant underdogs.

The betting market reacted swiftly, pushing the New England Patriots from 4.5-point favorites to -5.5 for the AFC championship. This would mark the largest road favorite in a conference title game since the 1970 merger. The shift underscores how much the Broncos' playoff hopes were tied to Nix's performance throughout the season, leaving backup Jarrett Stidham to face a daunting challenge.

With Nix sidelined, the Patriots' defense becomes the focal point for Denver's hopes. Sportsbooks like BetMGM and DraftKings face potential liabilities on New England winning the Super Bowl, given their preseason odds of +6000. The Broncos' path now depends on a stout defensive performance and minimizing mistakes from a backup quarterback in the season's biggest game.