Jarrett Stidham is set to make his first postseason start–and the fifth of his professional career–for the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.
That lack of exposure and experience can be a gift and a curse.
As far as one Patriots player is concerned, though, it is also an opportunity to throw shade at Stidham before the game.
Jarrett Stidham Roasted Before Broncos-Patriots
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)Christian Barmore #90 and Milton Williams #97 of the New England Patriots celebrate a sack against the Tennessee Titans.
Meeting with the media before visiting the Broncos, Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams spoke candidly about his insight into Stidham, or lack thereof.
“Nothing. Nothing. I ain’t gonna lie, nothing. We’re gonna watch the tape on him and figure out what he likes to do,” Williams told reporters on January 21, pausing briefly before continuing. “They didn’t like him over Bo, so.”
Stidham, 29, was a fourth-round pick, taken 133rd overall by the Patriots in the 2019 draft.
He also rejected their interest in a return this past offseason, instead re-signing with Denver. He has started four of his 20 games played and is 1-3 in those contests.
Stidham has completed 59.4% of his passes for 1,422 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in his career, with a 1,080-6-4 line on 62.5% completion as a starter. His last start came in Week 18 of the 2023 season.
The remarks raised some eyebrows, but the Broncos have rallied around Stidham.
He is even more familiar with head coach Sean Payton than injured starter Bo Nix, the No. 12 pick in the 2024 draft.
They are underdogs entering this contest, though, despite being at home. Stidham has firmly proclaimed his belief that he can be a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL. The seventh-year veteran expressed disappointment about losing the job to Nix during the 2024 preseason.
Von Miller Backs Broncos
GettyVon Miller #24 of the Washington Commanders warms up before facing the Green Bay Packers.
Per Vegas Insider on January 21, the Broncos are 5.5-point underdogs at home, where teams generally enjoy a 3.0-point advantage, with Stidham taking over for Nix. However, former Broncos star Von Miller believes his old team should not be underestimated.
“Everybody’s already writing them off. The odds for the Broncos winning that game have plummeted. What I want to say is, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Not so fast.’ Football is an amazing sport,” Miller said on the “Free Range” podcast on January 20, citing Nick Foles’ run with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
Foles has offered his support for Nix, Stidham, and the Broncos amid the dramatic adjustment for everyone involved.
Miller was realistic, too, though, saying the Broncos’ defense needs to “play out of their minds.”
“I don’t think that’s something that they can’t do, though,” Miller said. “I think that this game can be won by the Denver Broncos. As a matter of fact, I’m going to pick the Denver Broncos to beat the New England Patriots in this game.”
Miller noted that the game is “set up” for Broncos edge defenders Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto. Patriots QB Drake Maye is prone to holding the ball.
The Broncos led the NFL in sacks by a wide margin during the regular season.
Miller warned that the Broncos must shore up their run defense after getting gashed by the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Maye had 4 fumbles last week, which bodes well for the Broncos if they can make the Patriots one-dimensional.
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