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While the Denver Broncos are headed to their first AFC Championship game since the 2015 season, they will be doing it without franchise quarterback Bo Nix, who broke his ankle in their win over the Bills. Head coach Sean Payton confirmed Nix’s season was over in the postgame press conference.
In the 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round, Bo Nix complete 26 of 46 passes for 279 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. The broken ankle came on Nix’s second-to-last play of the game as he was rolling out for a designed run on first-and-10 from the Buffalo 36-yard line with 6 minutes, 4 seconds left in overtime.
While Nix was able to return to the huddle and draw a pass interference on an attempted pass to Marvin Mims Jr., which brought the ball to the Bills’ 8-yard line. On the next play, Nix took a kneel and his right ankle was twisted awkwardly in the scrum.
Bo Nix –
I think the injury may have occurred on the plant just before he jumps. His right ankle is forced into eversion, lots of compression.
Maybe a fracture of the talus, navicular or cuboid, like a crush injury?Payton said ankle, not foot (thought Jones Fx at first).. pic.twitter.com/DpX7vCcZIb
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) January 18, 2026
This is the play Bo Nix broke his ankle on.
Given the circumstances, this is probably the dumbest injury in the history of the NFL.
According to Sean Payton, this happened on “the second to last play of overtime”—this kneel down at the 5 yard line to set up the chip shot FG: https://t.co/hFpEOIfeuV pic.twitter.com/hy2Fu4zEnC
— Mark Valorian (@markvalorian) January 18, 2026
In an effort to make Broncos fans feel better about their current situation — heading into the AFC championship game with their back-up QB Jarrett Stidham set to start the game — former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles reminder Denver fans of the Patriots’ history against second stringers.
Former Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles tried to instill hope in Denver Broncos fans after Box Nix’s injury
“Note for the Broncos and their fans: I know it has been an emotional 24 hours. I feel for Bo and the team, and I’m sending prayers for a strong recovery. A positive note going into the game versus the Patriots is that they struggle against backup QBs in championship-type games,” Foles tweeted on Sunday night.
Note for the Broncos and their fans: I know it has been an emotional 24 hours. I feel for Bo and the team, and I’m sending prayers for a strong recovery.
A positive note going into the game versus the Patriots is that they struggle against backup QBs in championship-type games.
— Nick Foles (@NickFoles) January 18, 2026
In the Eagles’ 41-33 victory of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, Foles — who took over as the starter following an injury to Carson Wentz late in the Eagles’ regular season — completed 28 of 43 passes for 373 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception, while also famously catching a one-yard touchdown on the “Philly Special” play.