The Denver Broncos' season changed in an instant on their game-winning drive against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round, but not in the way they thought.
Yes, they advanced to the AFC Championship Game, but quarterback Bo Nix was also injured on the drive. He fractured his ankle.
The news didn't emerge until after the game, and it forced the Broncos to face a shocking reality, that backup QB Jarrett Stidham will start against the New England Patriots with a spot in the Super Bowl on the line.
Some Broncos fans are still holding out hope for Nix, though, thanks to a viral post on social media that isn't what first meets the eye.
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Is Bo Nix playing this week?
No, Bo Nix is not playing in the AFC Championship Game.
The Broncos' QB has already been ruled out, and he was supposed to undergo surgery already this week.
The hope comes from a viral fake post from NFL Drop, which acknowledges in its bio that it's a satire account:
The Broncos are “seriously considering” putting Bo Nix on Ketorolac, a heavy painkiller, to get him to play through his broken ankle injury.
— NFL Drop (@TheNFLDrop) January 20, 2026
Nix is questionable to start vs the Patriots on Sunday. Pic.twitter.com/naLE6tkHnC
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The Broncos are expected to roll with Stidham, backed up by Sam Ehlinger, with the newly signed Ben DiNucci around in case of emergencies.
The best Nix will be able to do is advise Stidham and help him through the tough assignment.
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