The Tackle That Reshaped the NFL Postseason

Nix underwent surgery on January 20, ending his breakout second season right as Denver looked like the Super Bowl favorite.

Impact on the AFC Championship

The injury forced Denver to start backup Jarrett Stidham in the Championship game against the New England Patriots. Without Nix’s mobility and playmaking, the Broncos’ offense struggled significantly in a battle at Mile High which became blanketed with snow late in the game

After the Patriots defeated the Broncos 10–7, analysts largely pointed to the lack of offensive spark from the QB position as the reason the top-seeded Broncos couldn’t overcome New England’s defense.

Reshaping the Odds

Before the injury, Denver was the favorite to win. The tackle by Bishop caused a massive swing in predictions and betting odds. It turned what should have been a Broncos-led AFC Championship into a Patriots victory.

Here is how the predictions shifted following the hit:

The Before

In the lookahead lines before the Divisional Round game ended, Denver was projected to be a 1.5-point favorite over the Patriots. Because Denver held the top seed and home-field advantage at Mile High, most analysts expected them to secure their spot in Super Bowl LX.

The After

• Once it was confirmed that Nix had a broken ankle and Jarrett Stidham would start, the betting market reacted violently:
• The Swing: The line moved roughly 6 to 7 points.
• The New Odds: Denver went from a small favorite to a 4.5 to 5.5-point underdog at home.
• Super Bowl Odds: Denver’s odds to win the Super Bowl plummeted from +700 (among the favorites) to +1100 (the longest shot of the four remaining teams).

Expert vs. Public Opinion

The “experts” and betting public heavily favored the Patriots after the injury (with about 75% of bets going toward New England). Some local Denver analysts and statistical models like SportsLine still predicted a Broncos win. They argued that Denver’s #1 ranked offensive line and elite defense could carry a backup quarterback.

Ultimately, the public was right—the loss of Nix was too much to overcome, and the Patriots’ 10–7 win proved that the oddsmakers were correct to flip the script.

Essentially, Cole Bishop’s tackle turned a Super Bowl run into a “what if” season for the Broncos and their fans.

The Super Bowl LX Picture

The New England Patriots have secured the AFC spot, and the Seattle Seahawks will represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026.