Jarrett Stidham led the Denver Broncos in their AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots, throwing for 133 yards and one interception in a 10-7 defeat. The second-year quarterback was thrust into the start after starter Bo Nix suffered a late ankle injury.

Making just his fifth career start, Stidham faced playoff-tested Patriots defense in snowy conditions. Denver’s offense struggled to move the ball, gaining only 32 yards in the second half. A critical second-quarter miscue — a disputed intentional grounding call — gave New England a short field before halftime.

"I can't put our team in a bad spot like that," Stidham said, referring to the play where he tried to throw away a pass under pressure. The loss ends Denver’s playoff run and raises questions about the team’s quarterback situation heading into the offseason.

Despite the rough outing, coach Sean Payton defended Stidham’s effort but emphasized areas for improvement. The Broncos now face a pivotal offseason with key decisions ahead on offense, including the QB position and overall roster construction.