DENVER | If Jacques Demers was leading the Broncos on the eve of the American Conference finals in Denver, in the NFL, he would certainly have judged that a pilgrimage to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré would be wise.
• Also read: Deprived of their quarterback, the Broncos in search of a miracle against the Patriots
The Journal is on site in Denver to cover this no-win game against the Patriots and we can confirm one thing for you. Despite losing their starting quarterback Bo Nix last Saturday to a broken ankle, no one on the Broncos lit any lanterns and confidence seemed to reign.
Demers’ anecdote marked the folklore of the Canadiens-Nordiques rivalry in 1993, when the Canadiens head coach made a detour to the Basilica near Quebec, at the heart of a series opposing the two rivals.
Going to our house to ask for help is a bit far for Sean Payton, but his Broncos no less need to beg the heavens for their duel on Sunday.
The team must turn to Jarrett Stidham. The latter, who ironically was a fourth-round pick of the Patriots in 2019, becomes the first quarterback to start a conference final with fewer than five career starts under his belt.
“He won’t be shy about drawing. It’s in his personality. This will be our approach. I think our number 2 quarterback is one of the 32 best in this league,” Payton promised to reassure the troops in the final hours.
Bad omen?
Stidham’s presence shrouds this conference finale in a certain layer of mystery. He has only four NFL starts and on Sunday, when he takes the field in Denver in front of more than 76,000 fans who will spy on him like a gladiator in the Coliseum in Rome, he will throw his first pass in 749 days in a game that counts.
In history, six quarterbacks have started their first game of the season in the playoffs and their record of one win and five losses shows that the Broncos will probably have to resort to divine intervention.
“We went from a feeling of completely crazy ecstasy [après avoir gagné samedi dernier] to something inexplicable when we learned that Bo would no longer play this year. He has done so much for us and it hurts our stomach.
“It’s a roller coaster of emotions because I also know Jarrett very well and I have no doubt in my mind that he will be ready to play. He is as well prepared as Bo and he knows what he has to do for us to be successful,” mentioned the Broncos’ best receiver, Courtland Sutton.
Confident despite everything
After his first three seasons with the Patriots, with whom he saw little field time, Stidham was traded to the Raiders. In his first start, he caused quite a stir by amassing 365 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2023, he became a free agent and Sean Payton signed him to the Broncos. To date, he has eight touchdown passes and as many interceptions. He has won just one of his four starts and has not seen action since January 7, 2024, in a no-stakes game.
Sunday, he will become the first pivot since Roger Staubach, in 1972, to start in the conference final without having set foot on the field during the season.
The Broncos have watched Stidham develop for three years in training and they assure that he will rise to the challenge.
“He is more ready for this situation than any other reserve. We see it every day, this guy can be a very good quarterback. Few teams have the chance to bet on such a talented player who is waiting for his chance,” argued blocker Mike McGlinchey.
“He’s like a quarterbacks coach because he knows the system and he can make every throw,” added defensive end Zach Allen.
LIST OF QUARTERBACKS WHO MADE THEIR FIRST START OF THE SEASON IN THE PLAYOFFS
Jarrett Stidham
January 25, 2026 (Broncos vs. Patriots)
Taylor Heinicke
January 9, 2021 (Commanders 31-23 defeat against Buccaneers)
Connor Cook
January 7, 2017 (Raiders 27-14 loss to Texans)
Joe Webb
January 5, 2013 (Vikings 24-10 defeat against the Packers)
France
January 3, 1993 (Bills 41-38 victory against the Oilers)
Gary Danielson
December 31, 1983 (Lions 24-23 defeat against the 49ers)
Roger Staubach
December 31, 1972 (Cowboys lost 26-3 to the Redskins)
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