The Broncos Squander Their Super Bowl 60 Ticket…

The game started as well as it could have for the home team. Jarret Stidham, after a shaky start, missing his first three passes, threw a nice 52-yard pass to Marvin Mims to set them up in the redzone. A few plays later, Stidham threw a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton to give the Broncos a 7-0 lead.

The Denver defense was also on top of its game. Drake Maye and the offense struggled to move the ball at all, and all the momentum was in favor of the Orange and Blue. It was clear that the Broncos were playing better football to start this game. Things took a turn, though, in the second quarter.

Denver had a nice drive that ended with fourth-and-one at the New England 14-yard line. In a game like this, where both offenses have struggled to move, points are at a premium. The Patriots’ offense showed no signs of life till that point, so going up 10-0 would have felt nearly insurmountable.

Instead, Sean Payton decided to be aggressive and called a pass play that had no chance of converting. That was a big miss. The momentum, however, was still not sapped from the home team as the Broncos’ defense forced a punt on the ensuing New England possession. The event that transpired after, though, is what changed the game.

Denver faced third and four on their own 32-yard line with just under three minutes to go. On the play, miscommunication between Stidham and the running back, Tyler Badie, occurred. This forced Stidham to hold the ball an extra second, and he had a back-breaking fumble. It was a close call, but definitely the correct one.

The Patriots recovered at the Broncos’ 14-yard line and scored a few plays later off a Maye QB draw. In that moment, Stidham needed to throw it away or take the sack. With how the defense was playing, punts were not a bad thing at all.

The game went into halftime 7-7 as both kickers missed kicks in the final minute. The drive that began the second half is what New England won this game. Before the weather became a factor, the visitors had a near 10 minute drive that resulted in a field goal going up 10-7. After that point, the Denver offense could not get anything going.

The offense couldn’t get a first down the entire second half and relied on defense and field position to get them back in the game. That plan did almost work, though. Midway in the fourth, the Patriots had to punt deep in their own territory, but the snow caused a shank, which allowed Denver to start on the opponent 33 yard line.

The Broncos were unable to move the ball, but Stidham had a nice run on third and long to make the field goal a manageable 45 yards. The kick, however, was blocked. That was a back breaker because that was the best field position a team could ask for, and it led to nothing.

That moment was the season for Denver. The Patriots forced a turnover late in the game and ran the clock out to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl.

Bo Nix Might Be Better Than We Thought

Broncos Country loves their quarterback one. This game, though, may have given us fans a deeper appreciation for what Bo Nix did for the team. The second half of this game had all of Denver longing for him.

I want to preface this by saying that Stidham did an admirable job. He came in and did the best he could in a tough spot. He put us in a position to win this game, and that’s all one can ask for in a snow game like this.

The total inability of the offense to do anything in the second half, though, reminded us why he’s a current backup. Stidham needed his playmakers around him to step up, especially in the run game.

Without Stidham’s 23 yards, the team ran for 56 yards on 20 carries. That won’t get it done. It had to be a full team effort on offense to be successful, and it just never came to be.

JK Dobbin’s value was on full display. RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin averaged under three yards per carry. For Denver to be able to win seven of their last eight games, including last week, is impressive looking back. That time frame is when Dobbins was sidelined and when Nix elevated his game, helping this team beat the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Buffalo Bills.

He’s not a perfect quarterback, but he’s more than just a game manager.

End Of Denver Broncos Rant

The season was still incredible. It was a bitter ending, but the magic this season brought to Broncos country can never be forgotten. The team suffered mediocre to bad quarterback play and coaching for nearly a decade, and now has a guy they can get behind.

Payton didn’t call his best game, but he’s built a culture of winning. With Denver free of Russell Wilson’s contract next year, they must address some positions.

When the draft nears, I will speak more on the roster improvements. For now, let’s look back and appreciate the good moments this season brought to the Mile High City.