With the season ending Tuesday, the Broncos cleared out their lockers and reflected on missed opportunities. They exceeded expectations but fell one game short of their goal. The head coach insisted they were a Super Bowl team despite doubts. Still, they secured the top seed and AFC West crown. Their confidence held until losing Bo Nix before the final home game.

Nix’s absence was deeply felt during the Super Bowl push. With the team needing one more comeback, he could only watch from the sidelines as a fractured ankle kept him out. In the swirling Denver snow, the Patriots’ dream ended with a 10-7 loss.

The missed showdown became more notable because a clash between the top two seeds, led by second-year QBs in No. 10 jerseys, never materialized. Both teams boasted 14-3 records after besting playoff regulars, but the Broncos had to rely on backup Jarrett Stidham, drafted by the Patriots.

Despite setbacks, the Broncos nearly won the final game with Stidham at quarterback and a strong defense. Against New England, the defense allowed only 12 first downs, 206 total yards, and set a franchise postseason record by allowing just 86 gross passing yards and 65 net passing yards.

Denver’s defensive dominance was clear. Maye went 10-for-86 passing with five sacks. Stidham, in his return after not playing since 2023, threw for 133 yards on 17 completions with three sacks. As brutal conditions set in after halftime, the Patriots’ rushing attack took over. Maye rushed for 65 yards, while Rhamondre Stevenson added 71.

Denver’s offense also struggled to run, as six Broncos combined for 79 yards—RJ Harvey led with 37 on 13 carries. Poor visibility, strong winds, and snowy footing challenged both teams.

The turning point of the game came in the second quarter. On the Patriots’ 14-yard line, Payton opted to go for a first down instead of kicking a field goal, as the weather held steady. The pass to Harvey was stopped, and as a result, a field goal would have extended the lead before the storm hit.

After the game, Head Coach Sean Payton reflected on the crucial decisions: “Yes, it just felt like we had momentum to get up 14,” Payton said after the loss. “It felt like we had a good call. What were we at yard-line-wise there? Yes, I think the feeling was, ‘Man, let’s be aggressive.’ To get up 14, I was just watching the way our defense was playing. Look at the turnover on our end resulting in a touchdown, and outside of that, I thought we did a good job in containing them. There’ll be a number of things to look at when we watch the tape. You know, critique and pay close attention to. But it was a hard-fought game, and we didn’t do enough to win it.”

The narrow margin of defeat wasn’t unique. This was the second straight playoff game decided by a field goal, and also the 13th game of the season decided by one score. In response to the loss, the Broncos released three coaches: Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi, Wide Receivers Coach Keary Colbert, and Cornerbacks Coach Addison Lynch.

As the team turned its attention to the offseason, several players addressed the media. Two newcomers, both with experience from the San Francisco 49ers, played key roles in elevating the defense and spoke about their experiences during the 2025 campaign.

“[It’s been] special. More than I expected,” said Safety Talanoa Hufanga. “As a new face, you aim to learn and adapt. These guys are welcoming. The organization values attitude and hard work, which fits my mold. Everyone here does the dirty work. I was fortunate to be part of it.” Hufanga’s 17 postseason tackles tied for second-most by a Broncos safety in a playoff run since 1994.

“A lot of guys were hurt, and a lot of guys are still hurt. It’s a tough feeling,” Inside Linebacker Dre Greenlaw said. “I told the guys I’ve been in this position before. Quarterback goes down, and you are in the AFC or NFC Championship. You’re trying to find a way and you come up short. The next year we went to the Super Bowl. We have what it takes in the room to get it done.”

Another first-year player with the team weighed in on the season. “That was tough walking off the field yesterday. I firmly believed we would be AFC champions all week. I tried to tell the young guys… I just spoke to [CB] Jahdae [Barron]; he’s a rookie. I told him, ‘Man, this is rare. You got drafted to a great team and organization. It’s rare.’ You never know what can happen. The NFL is hard to win in. The games we won were gritty, special moments, and that’s not promised every year. This season, I was able to be present in all of it. I’ll never take that for granted. I know now the sacrifices required. I thought I knew, but there’s another level to it. I’m thankful for the journey. Getting this close will make the whole building hungrier.”

Missing the Super Bowl will linger for all involved, especially with Nix absent. Still, after nine years without a franchise quarterback, the Broncos can now look to build around Bo Nix.

‍

‍