Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Patriots' AFC title game vs. Broncos

Key Highlights

• With quarterback Drake Maye leading their offense, the Patriots will look to advance to the Super Bowl behind a well-balanced attack on both sides of the football. Patriots Wire went behind enemy lines with Broncos Wire's Brandon Walker to forecast the affair. There seems to be more confidence surrounding Jarrett Stidham than anticipated after the Bo Nix injury.
• What do you attribute that to?I think can be attributed to a number of things; Stidham has been in head coach Sean Payton's system since 2023, one year longer than Nix.
• He knows Payton's scheme by now, and can run it well.
• Although the most recent film on Stidham is from the preseason, we can still glean that he can make good throws, move around and make plays.
• I think the biggest confidence booster (at least for me) was when Payton came out and announced that Nix would be done for the year, Payton immediately said, "Stiddy's ready." Fans have rallied behind that confidence. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDenver's notable defense has allowed opponents to score more points in recent weeks.