Broncos reach AFC title after OT win but lose QB Bo Nix to broken ankle; Seahawks romp into NFC title game
Broncos beat Bills 33-30 in overtime; Bo Nix broke his right ankle and will miss the postseason. Seahawks routed 49ers 41-6 to NFC title game.
Overview
Denver beat Buffalo 33-30 in overtime at Empower Field at Mile High, with Wil Lutz's 23-yard field goal sending the Broncos to the AFC Championship for the first time since their last Super Bowl run.
Bo Nix fractured a bone in his right ankle on the second-to-last play of overtime; head coach Sean Payton said Nix will have surgery Tuesday and is out for the rest of the season.
Backup Jarrett Stidham, 1-3 in seven seasons, will start the AFC title game; Payton expressed confidence in Stidham as Denver prepares to host the Patriots-Texans winner on Jan. 25.
Controversial officiating influenced the final drive: Ja'Quan McMillian's interception was reviewed and upheld, two Buffalo pass-interference penalties produced 47 yards, and Tre'davious White drew an unsportsmanlike-conduct flag.
Seattle, led by Sam Darnold and a dominant defense, crushed the injury-riddled 49ers 41-6; Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff 95 yards and the Seahawks advance to the NFC title game.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the games with a light editorial slant: emphasizing Denver/Seattle momentum and portraying Buffalo as a victim of officiating. Through language choices ("dominating," "rout," "injury‑riddled") and selective placement of McDermott's critique, editorial choices shape a narrative; the cited quotes themselves remain source content.
Sources (12)
FAQ
Jarrett Stidham, the backup quarterback, will start the AFC Championship Game for the Broncos.
Bo Nix suffered a fracture in his right ankle on a first-and-10 designed run from the Bills' 36-yard line in overtime, when he was pulled to the ground by Buffalo safety Cole Bishop.
Nix will undergo surgery soon after the injury, with healing from the ankle fracture repair taking approximately 10-12 weeks, and full recovery of strength and function taking 3-4 months, positioning him to start the 2026 regular season assuming no complications.
The Broncos will host the winner of the Patriots-Texans game on January 25.
The Seahawks routed the 49ers 41-6, led by Sam Darnold and a dominant defense, with Rashid Shaheed returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.
History
9 sources