Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - WAVE OF EMOTIONS: Broncos Lose Bo Nix, Advance to AFC Championship Game

Episode Date: January 18, 2026

The Denver Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills in an instant classic to advance to the AFC Championship Game, but they shockingly lost quarterback Bo Nix to a season-ending ankle injury late in the game. ...Sayre Bedinger and Cody Roark react to the wave of emotions following the epic Broncos win. Cody Roark is a credentialed beat reporter for Mile High Sports and covers the Broncos daily in person. Sayre Bedinger is the site expert for Predominantly Orange. Both bring Broncos Country the most in-depth and objective coverage of the Denver Broncos. WANT MORE DAILY DENVER BRONCOS CONTENT?For all of the latest Denver Broncos news today -- Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOBroncos?sid=YouTube Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNFL Follow on Twitter: @CodyRoarkNFL and @SayreBedingerFollow the show on Twitter: @LockedOnBroncos Everydayer Club  If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.Click here to join -- https://lockedonbroncos.supercast.com/ Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Ultimate QBUltimate QB is totally free to play, has no ads, and works 100% offline — perfect for when you want to sneak in a quick game or two on the go. Just head over to http://ULTIMATE-QB.COM. FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. FanDuel is officially in Playoff Mode. Every game day during the NFL playoffs, FanDuel is giving customers even more ways to get in on the action. Visit Fanduel.com to get started. PrizePicksDownload the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONNFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNFL GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. RobinhoodTrade Every Play with Robinhood. Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin.Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm QuoMake this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away.Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnfl. GustoTry Gusto today at http://gusto.com/lockedonNFL and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Home ChefFor a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners 50% off your first box, free shipping, and free dessert for life. Just go to http://HomeChef.com/LOCKEDON. IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/lockedonnfl. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 The Denver Broncos are riding high, heading into the AFC championship game after an epic win against the bills. But the wind was sucked out of their sales with news that Bo Nix is out for the playoffs. We're going to break it down on today's show. You are locked on Broncos. Your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. Broncos country, a ton of mixed emotions. Obviously, the Denver Broncos are going to the AFC championship game.
Starting point is 00:00:36 That is a fact at this point. So everybody in Broncos country thrilled about that, but breaking news after the game. And I thought it was fake. I think a lot of other people thought it was fake. Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle in the game. He is out for the remainder of the season. It's an absolute gut punch after what should be the most exciting moment in a decade for Broncos country. Cody and I, we're going to break it all down on today's show as well as talk about what
Starting point is 00:01:04 lies ahead will give out game balls. from this game. But man, Broncos country. It's tough to even know how to feel at this point, but we appreciate every single one of you for being with us for the ride. And today's episode is brought to you by our friends at GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use code locked on NFL for $20 off your first purchase. Cody, it is impossible not to be excited about the Broncos going to the AFC championship game. However, if there's one thing that can derail the excitement. If there's one thing that can take it from feeling like the biggest win in 10 years to arguably a loss, like that's what it feels like. Bo Nix is out for the playoffs. Sean Payton
Starting point is 00:01:47 confirmed it after the game at the media availability that he had. Bo Nix suffered a fractured ankle. Looks like it happened on a design quarterback run play. Potentially, that's what the Tom Pelliserro and others are kind of saying is what the Broncos are thinking. Man, it is what a whirlwind of emotions. I am at a loss for words almost at this point, man. It's crazy. Bo Nix out for the playoffs, but the Broncos hosting the AFC championship game. Yeah, look, I suck the wind right out of the sales. I'm still here at the stadium right here. And look, we were in the locker room. Club dub was popping after the Bronco's overtime win against Josh Allen and the bills. And then Sean Payton already had his press conference there. And he comes back for yet another
Starting point is 00:02:29 press conference, which out of the norm there. And he said bad news. And he filled us in on what was happening there. Bo suffered a fractured bone in his ankle on that play that you were talking about there before obviously the throw attempt to Marvin Mims that drew the PI. And now he's set to have surgery on Tuesday here. I mean, you're excited about the wind. You know, I don't think a lot of good players in the locker room
Starting point is 00:02:52 knew about this. Like that's the crazy thing because when we came in a locker room, he was in the x-ray room and we're like, hey, is that Bo sitting on the table? So we're just thinking like, okay, but I saw Bo get off the x-ray table and, you know, walk, you know, to underneath the locker room thing, not in the locker room, but through that little side room there,
Starting point is 00:03:09 wouldn't have thought anything of it at all, you know, at this standpoint here. So this is such a gut punch here for the Denver Broncos because we're talking about the biggest win in franchise history in the last 10 years, sir. That just completely gets overshadowed by the loss of Bo Nix, who, Sarah, I would say in this game, he had a legacy defining drive here in the fourth quarter.
Starting point is 00:03:31 The Broncos, they were down 24 to 23, needing to find a way to score, and all of a sudden, he throws a touchdown pass to Marvin Mims with 55 seconds left in the game, and all of a sudden said, wow, this is what legends are made of, right? He orchestrated that drive. Ultimately, Denver's defense gives up a field goal there with 55 seconds left, obviously, in the game. They go to overtime, Bo Nix in the offense.
Starting point is 00:03:53 They find a way to obviously get downfield and make plays after they initially possessed it, and we'll get to Jayquan Macmillan turning the tie to this game here in a moment. But the Broncos winning this game, Thriller, walkoff, now they're set to host AAC Championship, and it'll be Jared Stiddam as the starting quarterback here for the Denver Broncos. The good news is the last time we saw Jared Stidham take the field for the Denver Broncos to actually throw passes. I mean, he was carving up guys who he's obviously better than at this point. The bad news is obviously the huge caveat to that,
Starting point is 00:04:26 which is the fact that it was a preseason game against backup opponents. Now you're going to be going up against either the Houston Texans number one ranked defense or the New England Patriots who have a very good defense as well in the AFC championship game. But, I mean, look, it's next man up. You have no choice. What's the alternative at this? I mean, I hate this. I really do.
Starting point is 00:04:48 I don't hate it for Jared. I mean, obviously, he's a great player and he gets an opportunity here. And that's what we're going to be talking about all week is the opportunity that he has before him. Sean Payton said they're confident in Jarrett and his ability to go out and help them win this game. I honestly am confident in his ability to help win this game, but it can't be overstated that the loss of Boe Nix is massive. Like Bo Nix just played one of the best games that he's had in his NFL career on the biggest stage outduelling Josh Allen,
Starting point is 00:05:19 making big time throws late in this game, pinpoint accuracy throughout the course of that game. Cody, I mean, we saw the throws to Lil Jordan Humphrey, multiple should have been touchdowns. He got one on that week. He took down past to Marvin Mims that you referenced. I mean, multiple passes to Cortland Sutton that were dropped in this game as well. Just Bo Nix played a great game.
Starting point is 00:05:39 Like you said, two potentially legacy drives, like brought the team back from down four points in the fourth quarter. Then in overtime, you come back and you just attack that Buffalo Bill's defense with such a level of confidence. And you set your team up for the game. I just, man, I've got it over this. I know everybody listening is that it just sucks. Like, let's just say what it is. It sucks. It's terrible.
Starting point is 00:06:02 You're going to the AFC championship game Broncos country. Let's be excited about that fact. But, man, without Bo Nix, it really is a struggle to be as excited as we should be in this moment. Yeah, because look, the Broncos dealt with, I mean, not only this injury, I'm with you. It sucks. It's terrible because it just, it really sucks the wind out of the sales, right? And, you know, we're sitting outside the locker room after the game, Sarah. Club dub is popping.
Starting point is 00:06:26 It's going crazy. A key to leave is walking by and he says, y'all better be talking about Bo and not Josh Allen, failing again. And then Tony Romo is walking by. And all he's talking about is Josh Allen. I mean, this is like, wow, like, you know, the perfect culmination of everything that, you know, you said like, you know what,
Starting point is 00:06:43 stick it to Tony Romo at this point, right? Because of the fact that Denver won, they're going to the AFC championship game, much to his chagrin or his personal preference there of Josh Allen, which from what I hear my wife's telling me, he didn't shy away from making it known. Josh Allen, Josh Allen, Josh Allen, yes, Josh Allen was great in this game.
Starting point is 00:07:00 He also turned the ball over a handful of times and it almost felt like he was inevitable, right? This had like this Marvel's Avengers theme to it where it seemed like Josh Allen was Stanox. He was inevitable because no matter what Denver did, even with that 23 to 10 lead, there comes Josh Allen making a big time play, right? And just for Bow Nix to be able to answer the call
Starting point is 00:07:20 in the fourth quarter yet again, where there's so many people saying, oh, well, you know, he's only led fourth quarter comebacks against bad teams. Buffalo bills are a damn good team, Sarah. They are tough as, nails here and Denver and Bo they stood firm and they delivered when they needed to here. And now they're going to the AFC championship game.
Starting point is 00:07:38 And that's going to lead to a whole bunch of other questions and obviously show topics for us here this week on Lockdown Broncos. But Denver is going to have to try to get to the Super Bowl without Bo Nixon. What sucks the most, too, look, Bo is a resilient. He's a tough guy. Sean Payton was talking to us about just his mindset. You know, he's got faith. He's tough. But I just can't help but feel gutted for Bo because Boe has helped get this team here.
Starting point is 00:08:00 Right. And it's an exciting opportunity for Jared Stiddleman. Man, just an absolute gut punch here for this team coming off the hills of the biggest win in the last 10 years, man. It just, it sucks. It really does. I guess if you look back as we continually connect a lot of the moments of this season to Broncos history, I guess the last two Super Bowl wins for the Denver Broncos included moments where the backup quarterbacks had to come in and play well in order for the team to win. Now, obviously, John Elway played in Super Bowl 33. Obviously, Peyton Manning played in Super Bowl 50. Bo Nix is not going to be playing in Super Bowl 60 if the Denver Broncos can get there. But those teams needed Brock Osweiler. They needed Bobby Brister, right, to make plays and absolutely help lead that team. I mean, those teams needed their backups in a big way.
Starting point is 00:08:50 And Jared Sidham, we know that the Broncos have believed in him from the start. I was shocked that he resigned with the team this offseason. Cody, I thought that he would go after. potential, you know, situations where he might have had a chance to start elsewhere, but he came back to Denver and he's running it back. He knows the offense as well, if not better than anybody, right? I mean, obviously he's been in it since the beginning, since 2023 when Sean Payton took over.
Starting point is 00:09:13 So it's a terrible situation, but all things considered, the Broncos do have somebody that they feel like they can trust, and that's huge. Yeah, and that's going to be big along the way. And this is big for Davis Webb. Look, I don't want to even say this, but it's like, It's also an opportunity not to compare the situation, but similar in a sense, star quarterback suffering a season ending injury, and now you have a backup coming in to help you win a Super Bowl.
Starting point is 00:09:38 Nick Foles did it with the Philadelphia Eagles. Can Jared Stidham be in that situation? Look, the Broncos are going to need more contributions from their past catchers. Pat Bryant should be fine. Troy Franklin's got the hamstring. We don't know what to expect out of that, but Marvin Mims saw more of a role here. Little Jordan Humphrey redeemed himself.
Starting point is 00:09:56 Cortland Sutton came up big after a couple of drive. in this game. Like Denver's going to need more, though. They're really going to need the run game here. So could J.K. Dobbins maybe get back in the mix? I think these are things to obviously to ponder here. But we'll dive deeper a little bit into the conversation around the Broncos advance of the AFC championship.
Starting point is 00:10:13 Got to talk about the Broncos defense. They bent a lot. They gave up some plays. They broke in some instances. But, man, did they come up big in some of the clutch moments that the Broncos had in this game? We'll talk about that here on today's episode, Locked on Broncos.
Starting point is 00:10:27 This episode of Lockdown, Broncos is brought to you by Ultimate QB. Draft positions are set. So many teams, they're looking for their franchise QB. And if you've ever wished to become a pro quarterback getting drafted first overall by the Denver Broncos, well, now you can. There's a mobile app game just for you. It's called Ultimate QB Football Legend. In this game, you step into the cleats of a number one draft pick at the quarterback position. And it's your job to lead your team to greatness to help turn a failing franchise into a dynasty. This is the number one QB career mode game on mobile app stores, and it introduces the most realistic environment
Starting point is 00:11:01 with full career control. You can sign contracts, train and upgrade yourself, build chemistry, and evolve your teammates. You can give input to your GM on roster moves. You can play the actual games in 2D and rise through the ranks to become a pro football legend. You'll deal with the ups and downs of a QB career from rookie nerves to playoff drama, and every choice shapes your journey. Ultimate QB is totally free to play.
Starting point is 00:11:25 It has no ads and it works 100% offline. Perfect for when you want to sneak in a quick game or two on the go. Just head over to ultimate dash qb.com. That's ultimate dash qb.com or search for ultimate QB in your app store. And we've got something special just for you guys. Use the promo code locked on all caps in the game store to get a free boost at the start of your career. Ultimate QB football legend QB1. It's your legacy.
Starting point is 00:11:54 Today's show is also brought to you by Home Chef. As the new year gets going, a lot of people are trying to simplify their routines, right? And dinner, it's a big one between busy workdays, cold winter nights, and packed schedules. Having an easy, reliable dinner plan makes a huge difference. And that's where Home Chef comes in. Home Chef takes the stress out of cooking by delivering fresh pre-portioned ingredients right to your door. And with easy to follow recipes that actually taste great, they're rated number one by users of other meal kits for quality, convenience, value, taste, and recipe ease, and it's easy to see why.
Starting point is 00:12:30 Meals come ready to fit your schedule, 30-minute recipes, oven-ready trays, or quick lunches. There's 30 weekly options, including family-sized meals and different dietary choices. So much variety and everything arrives pre-portion, so there's a lot less prep, less mess, and no wasted food. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering our listeners 50% off your first box, free shipping, and free dessert for life. Just go to homechef.com slash locked on. That's homechef.com slash locked on for 50% off your first box,
Starting point is 00:13:03 free shipping and free dessert for life. Must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert. The Denver Broncos defense came through clutch in a big way against Josh Allen. Yes, Josh Allen put on the Superman cape and did his thing. But the Denver Broncos defense, they forced five turnovers in this game and none bigger than Jayquan Macmillan's. overtime interception on a throw intended for Brandon Cooks. We're going to break that down and so much more coming up on today's show.
Starting point is 00:13:32 But Broncos country, we just want to say thank you so much for tuning in every single day as the Denver Broncos. Your Denver Broncos are headed to the AFC championship. Thanks so much for making Lockdown Broncos, your first listen of the day right here on the lockdown podcast network, the number one sports podcast network. And if you haven't already done so, we want to invite you. Check out in the show notes, the link to go sign up for our everyday or all access club. We're going to get tons of bonus content, especially as we get geared up for the AFC championship game, locker room reactions while Cody is out there at practice, all 22 breakdowns,
Starting point is 00:14:05 locked on merch discount and so much more. So you're going to want to check that out in the show notes this week, especially as we gear up for a massive game, Cody. And the Denver Broncos defense, we've been calling for this. Turnovers, create takeaways, get opportunities for the offense. It's the timing could not be more perfect for the Broncos defense to be forcing this many turnovers because now you've got your backup quarterback coming into the game. But let's talk about the story of this one.
Starting point is 00:14:31 Josh Allen got his. There's no doubt. James Cook got his. And I think you expected that. But this Denver defense, they came through with turnovers in the biggest possible moments for this team. Yeah. I mean, it was almost like how much more can this guy do, right?
Starting point is 00:14:47 You know, I made the inevitable line from the Avengers like the Thanos snap, right? That's what Josh Allen felt like in this game for. Denver's defense because they would get a stop and they all of a sudden to be third and eight, but the bills would somehow find a way to convert. I mean, Sarah Denver's third down defense was brutal in this game. They gave up 10 of 15 in this game. They gave up almost 450 yards of offense. But at the end of the day, it was Jayquam Macmillan coming up with the play of the game
Starting point is 00:15:16 because the Broncos were in cover zero. And P.J. Locke was telling us this in his interview after the game. And for all the everydayers out there, all access guys are going to have post locker room interviews, in there for your viewing pleasure. But PJ was saying they were in a cover zero look and it was just, hey, man to man at that point. And there was no help over the top. Jaquan made a terrific play against Brandon Cooks.
Starting point is 00:15:35 I mean, the level of focus, the velocity, you know, the amount of air that Josh Allen put on that throw. And for Jayquant to come up with it, that was a huge moment because if he doesn't do that, Cook hangs on to that. That's a game winning field goal set up by Matt Praier and the bills are going off to the AFC championship. It is crazy to see in this game specifically against that offense,
Starting point is 00:15:55 which, Sarah, you and I have talked about this. We felt like Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills felt like they're probably the most dangerous team in the NFL playoffs. If I'm looking at any QB that I simply would not want to face, it is Josh Allen. The Broncos faced him. The Broncos overcame Josh Allen in this game. And it wasn't pretty overall. He was a hard guy to bring down. James Cook was a hard guy to bring down.
Starting point is 00:16:16 But Denver, in some of these key moments, they found a way to do just that. Absolute, just tip of the cap here to Denver's defense, which at one point, I mean, Sarah, talk about just the momentum plays right before half time. You get Nick Benito knocking the ball out of Josh Allen's hand, Devin Key recovering it, Will Lutz booting a field going all of a sudden, everything's different. The vibe is different. Nick Benito's strip sack to open up coming out of the second half.
Starting point is 00:16:40 It just felt like, hey, the defense is playing with some tenacity to them. And they were on the field quite a bit in this game, Sarah. I think they were on the field for 78 plays. So to have to face Josh Allen and to be on the field that long, to overcome that, that is a huge testament to the strength and resilience of this Broncos defense. They got to find a way to get more consistent stops, but granted who the opponent was, man, tough. It was tough. And they found a way to overcome.
Starting point is 00:17:07 They did. And like I said, I mean, Josh Allen got his. James Cook got his. Those two guys did what they always do. So the question is, is how are you going to be able to overcome that as a defense, right? Well, you had to come up with takeaways. I mean, like you mentioned, Cody, just listing them all off. They were massive throughout the course of this game.
Starting point is 00:17:27 I don't, obviously the Jayquan Macmillan one is the biggest one over the course of, you know, the entirety of the game. But I trace it back to that Alex Singleton forced fumble on James Cook as the first turnover of the game where it really felt like, all right, here comes the same old script from last year's stupid playoff game in the wild card round where the bills run it all over the Broncos and they can't do anything to stop it. all of a sudden, Alex Singleton comes in with just an absolutely old school 90s football style pop and gets that ball out and it shifted the momentum of the game.
Starting point is 00:18:00 I think it gave new life to the fans. I think it gave new life to the offense. So that was a massive play in this game. The bills were driving. It was feeling it felt like it was about to get away. Like when I say it was just like last year's playoff game, I thought to myself, all right, shoot, if they score another touchdown right here and our defense can't stop, and nose bleed.
Starting point is 00:18:20 Like, it's just, it is what it is. But when your defense comes through like this, man, that is exactly what they needed to do. And look, it wasn't the best for anybody in this game. Like, nobody was expecting a dominant effort. If you expected the Broncos to go out there and dominate Josh Allen in this game, if you expected them to shut James Cook down and hold him to less than 20 yards rushing or something like that, that ain't happening in the playoffs. Those guys did what they do, even in some of the Broncos best.
Starting point is 00:18:49 defensive efforts in playoff history. The 17 quarterback hits against Tom Brady in the AFC championship game. Remember how close that game was? I mean, Tom Brady still did his thing. Rob Grunkowski still did his thing. So it came down to, can you take the ball away from these guys? Can you force them to make mistakes? The Broncos defense did?
Starting point is 00:19:09 And here we are. 10 quarterback hits by the Denver defense against Josh Allen in this game, too. And just there's times where because he's so big, he's falling forward, he's making plays. He's throwing shovel passes. It just became a little frustrating. And he's throwing a little quick skippers out to the left side and just like, man, the Broncos overcame so much of that, Sarah, in this game. And I think the one thing that stands out to me, we talk about how resilient this group is. Here's the thing that I think you can measure this defense for, right?
Starting point is 00:19:34 Even if they give up plays, like there's times where, let's say it's third and eight. And we saw the bills just capitalize with ease, no matter for third and long, third and short, you name it. They're finding plays. Even after plays like that, it's so easy to hang your head and be deflated after your head and be deflated after you. you can't get a stop on third and eight and the guy picks up 15, right? It's easy to be like, oh, like, we just, it's just not our night. This defense still battled. That's the one thing that I'll say really just surprised me.
Starting point is 00:20:00 You know, I say it surprised me, but I'm not surprised by the resilience of this group. That's what I'm trying to say here. But I know for me just sitting there, our group chat, we were a little cook for a minute there, just looking at all the craziness that was going on. But, man, you find a way to buckle down and get the stops that you need to. You get the takeaways. You win the turnover margin. That is so big.
Starting point is 00:20:20 And luckily it came in this game. And we'll see if the Broncos can ride that momentum here going forward. But Broncos country, unfortunately, the bad news with Bow Nix being out for the season, definitely overshadowed was a lot here. We still get a handout game balls from this victory here on Saturdays. Denver now punches their ticket to the AFC championship next week at Empire Field and Maha. You get that here on today's episode of the show. This episode of Lockdown Broncos is brought to you by game time. NFL postseason is in full swing and there's nothing like being out of game.
Starting point is 00:20:51 I bet being at mile high for that divisional round win against the bills was crazy. The crowd noise, the energy and cheering alongside other fans, it doesn't get better. Watching at home is awesome, and I loved it with my family, but being at the stadium, it hits a little bit different, right? The frustrating part has always been getting tickets, waiting in queues, dealing with logins and watching prices change right at checkout. It's so frustrating. That's why game time gives the advantage back to the fans.
Starting point is 00:21:16 It's the hack for unlocking amazing NFL tickets and experiences in just a few taps. You pull up the GameTime app, you can check out upcoming NFL games. And, of course, the Denver Broncos are still playing games. So you can find out what ticket options are available for that. But the app is so intuitive. And you can even view your seat, which is my favorite aspect of the app. You can even view your seat before you purchase tickets. So there's no surprises about your view.
Starting point is 00:21:41 So take the guesswork out of buying NFL tickets with GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account, and use code locked on NFL. That's L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N-N-F. for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, create an account and redeem code locked on NFL for $20 off. Download the GameTime app today and get back to being there live. Today's show is also brought to you by Fanduel.
Starting point is 00:22:07 The division round is here, AFC championship on deck for the Broncos. And Fanduel is officially in playoff mode. Every game day during the NFL playoffs, Fanduel is giving customers even more ways to get in on the action. because right now, every NFL playoff game day, Fandual users get a profit boost pack waiting for them inside the app. Each game day, you'll see a pack loaded with multiple profit boosts,
Starting point is 00:22:31 and you can apply those to the bets that you like the most. Just open your profit boost pack first thing on game day and see what boosts you want to apply. The boosts give you more juice on the bets you already like instead of forcing you to bet something new. You make your picks, then apply your profit boost to go after even bigger payouts while the playoffs get rolling.
Starting point is 00:22:51 So visit Fanduel an official sports book partner of the NFL and grab your profit boost pack every NFL playoff game day. As we jump into the fourth quarter of today's post-game, post-victory Denver Broncos, going to the AFC championship game. I mean, we've got to re-kindle the excitement here, Cody. Obviously, the dark cloud of the Bow-Nicks injury looms large. But once again, I want to say thank you to all the listeners of the show.
Starting point is 00:23:20 We appreciate you so much for making this show exactly, what it is the number one Broncos podcast, as far as I'm concerned, out there. And Cody, I'm excited to give out some game balls for this game. I was even more excited before the injury news came in. I was going to give our first game ball to Bo Nix. I mean, shoot, legacy drives. We said it. I mean, there's no question.
Starting point is 00:23:41 Giving game balls for this particular game, Bo Nix has to get one, absolutely 100%. Yeah, no, I agree. I mean, that drive, once again, you're down. Was it 27, 23? and you have to find a way to just get down the field and you have to make, hey, Cortland Sutton gets his first catch, I believe, of the game on that drive. And all of a sudden, now the Broncos are in business.
Starting point is 00:24:02 And then, marvelous Marvin coming up with one of the bigger places. And I think so much lost in all the conversation of Bow's injury. Obviously, the Broncos winning. Denver was depleted at wide receiver in this game. They had three guys the entire game. It was Marvin, it was Cortland, and it was Lord Jordan Humphrey. These guys had to play the entirety of the game really from the onset after Pat Bryant went out and he,
Starting point is 00:24:25 Pat Brian got off to a hot star, right? Three catches to open up everything here for Denver. So for them to overcome all that, the run game not really being, you know, being existent for a good portion of the second half, certainly was a little problematic. But Bo Nix and then they found ways to overcome and even Bo used his legs a few times.
Starting point is 00:24:42 Bow, 110 percent deserves a game ball. Legacy drive that ultimately helped the Broncos win this game. He doesn't make some of those big throws there in the fourth quarter. this is a different kind of post-game show. And I mean, maybe even in the inverse, too, if none of that stuff happened, maybe Bo doesn't even get hurt at this point. It's just, it's crazy to think about the butterfly effect of everything that happens in this game. But I agree, 110%.
Starting point is 00:25:05 Bo gets one. I'm going to give one to Jayquan Macmillan, Sarah. I mean, you talk about needing a big play. The bills early on in this game kept trying to throw those quick little screens, right? But he's so tenacious in fighting blocks and getting tackles for a loss. That interception was so big. And once again, it is Jayquan who's coming up with these big time moments in the most clutch situations. When the Broncos need a takeaway, what happened that first Buffalo Bill's game a couple years ago, Monday night football?
Starting point is 00:25:31 It was J-Mack getting everything started. So it's just crazy how he opens everything up again. And out of the Broncos, they force the turnovers here in the playoffs that they've been needing to force in the regular season. They've got to keep that train rolling. Jayquon's going to get a game ball for me. I love that pick. I think he obviously deserves one snatching that ball right out of Brandon Cook's hands. I made a perfectly thrown pass from Josh Allen.
Starting point is 00:25:53 Should have been a game winning throw, honestly, for the Buffalo Bills. And Jayquan Macmillan, that's how tight it things are in the NFL. Like you're going to the ground. The guy doesn't have control of the ball and you snatch it out of his hands. I mean, that is one of the craziest interceptions. Just imagine that happening in real time. The fact of what he's doing in that moment, in those split seconds, taking the ball away from a guy who's about to win the game for his.
Starting point is 00:26:20 team. I mean, yeah, Jayquan, Cody, he deserves a game ball. I loved it during the game. Like my son Cruz, this is the first game like my kids have watched almost in full with me this season. Like they'll come down and watch the end of games. Like they're not in for necessarily a three hour grind at this point. But they, they were in for the grind in this game. And after Jayquan picked that pass off, Cruz is like, dad, who's number 29? I need his jersey right away. Unfortunately, the Broncos are all sold out of, you know, customizable jersey. right now. So they got to figure that one out. But he was so pumped. He's like, get me a J-Quain Macmillan Jersey. I love that type of stuff. And so, yeah, game ball for him. And I think also too,
Starting point is 00:27:02 you mentioned Marvin Mips, Cody. Like Marvin leading the team in receiving in this game, making that clutch touchdown catch, the go-ahead in regulation, making some big plays on third down when he was neat. I mean, just absolutely awesome stuff for Marvin stepping up in a way that we've been wanting from him all year long. And Marvin was gassed after the game. I think the whole team defense, those guys were on the field, 78 something plays in this game, the offense, they were gassed me. Because, yeah, you don't get to rotate your personnel in the way Sean Payton normally does
Starting point is 00:27:31 when you only have three wide receivers. It changes everything. I agree with Marvin. He came up big. And look, thank goodness Marvin ended up being okay because the very first play of the game on kick return. He just got blasted helmet to helmet. And the Broncos, think about that.
Starting point is 00:27:45 If he didn't clear protocol and it wasn't okay, Denver would have only had little Jordan Humphrey, Cortland Sutton. So just thankful that obviously Marvin's okay. Pat Bryant, to what I know is going to be okay. We'll see where Troy Franklin's at throughout the week here. But no, I agree. Marvin gets a game ball. And I'm going to give one to Will Lutz as well.
Starting point is 00:28:01 I think Will Lutz deserves one, you know, booting the game-winning field goal. That's obviously, you know, a big thing here. He was nailed day. He even nailed right before halftime. A very important, I think, what was it, 50-yard field goal as time expired there after Nick Benito made, once again, a huge play, two really big plays by Benito in this game here against Josh Allen. So Will Lutz is going to get my last game ball. I love that pick as well. You know what? He deserves it, right?
Starting point is 00:28:26 I mean, in a tight game like that where you know it's going to likely come down to one four. Crosshaw's punt too. Crosshaw's kick was huge. I mean, that was what I was looking at too as we're giving out game balls like there were so many individual plays in this game. Like I want to give a game ball to Singleton for the force fumble. I want to give a game ball to cross off for that punt that pinned the bills deep and gave your defense margin for error late in the game. Like when you're struggling a little bit on the, third downs you're struggling to stop James Cook.
Starting point is 00:28:52 You needed that margin for error to be able to put them in multiple third down situations and really force the issue. So it started with that punt. I think also to Cody Frank Crum, like the touchdown catch that Frank Crum had is one of the coolest plays ever. Like he didn't even get a chat about it, man. Man, man.
Starting point is 00:29:12 Sean was going to get an offensive lineman a touchdown this season come hell or high water, man. He was making it happen. Frank Crum, the rass the rass hole among the offensive lineman for the Denver Broncos he gets the touchdown the first touchdown to break the ice in this game that was so cool that was unbelievable moment at that point everyone like the people in the stands in front of us you know we're in the press box it's shaking they're going crumb crumb crumb crumb crumb crumb you know when quin minors is lifting frank crumb up in the air you know the way he does the running backs it's just like okay you know there's solace in those moments i'm going to have one out to nick benito as well once against strip sack uh had a couple of TFL's here, some QB hits, but even more importantly, right before halftime,
Starting point is 00:29:53 just helping the Broncos steal three points. Devin Key recovered that fumble. Devin Key had a key tackle on kickoff in this game as well. So, I mean, so many guys deserving, man. And I tell you this, Sarah, like, it's really cool. Being in my position as a reporter, you know, I'm not a fan of any team, right? But I'm a fan of these players that I get to be around almost every single day. And so to see those guys put in all this work throughout the season,
Starting point is 00:30:15 dating back to training captain now. Just it's so cool, man. And that's what I love about this job. It's fantastic. And when they win, it's great because now, I mean, it's just good for us. It's good for the fan base that has been ailing for something like this. They deserve it. And now the Broncos have a lot of questions, though, about, hey, what's next with Jared Stidham?
Starting point is 00:30:33 Can Jared Stidham help them lead a Nick Fools-like Renaissance to the Super Bowl? Anything is possible here. And Sarah and I, we're going to have you covered every step of the way this week here on lockdown Broncos. We also have you cover with the Bronco Squatch Show coming out here and just a little bit once we get back. home but broncos country thanks for rocking with us obviously exciting times a fc championship next week one o'clock p m mountain time kickoff and it'll be jarrott stidham under center can the broncos get to super bowl 60 in santa clara we'll find out next week we'll see you later for another episode lockdown broncos

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.