The Denver Broncos are headed to the AFC Championship for the first time in a decade, but their playoff run was instantly clouded by the loss of quarterback Bo Nix, who suffered a broken ankle in Saturday’s overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills.
Wil Lutz kicked a 23-yard field goal in overtime to seal a 33-30 win, sending the Broncos (15-3) to the conference title game for the 12th time in franchise history.
However, the triumph was marred when Nix, injured on Denver’s final series, was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs.
“I feel like I have a (No.) 2 (quarterback) that’s capable of starting for a handful of, a number of teams,” head coach Sean Payton said of backup Jarrett Stidham, who will start the AFC title game.
“I know he feels the same way. So watch out. Just watch.”
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks dominated the injury-plagued San Francisco 49ers to secure their spot in the NFC Championship. The Seahawks (15-3) will host the winner of the Rams-Bears divisional round matchup.
The No. 1 seeded Broncos will host the Texans-Patriots winner next Sunday.
For the Bills, quarterback Josh Allen and his team fell short once again in the playoffs, with several controversial officiating decisions influencing the tense overtime finish.
By James Kisoo
