Jarrett Stidham, the Broncos quarterback, is about to embark on a journey that could make him a legend or a cautionary tale. With a broken ankle ruling out Bo Nix, Stidham steps into the spotlight, aiming to become the second quarterback in history to secure a playoff win in their first start of the season.
The odds are stacked against Stidham, but the stakes are high. If he succeeds, he'll join the ranks of Frank Reich, who, in 1992, led the Bills to a stunning comeback against the Oilers, erasing a 35-3 deficit in the third quarter to win in overtime. Reich's success continued, as he led the Bills to another victory the following week, solidifying his place in NFL history.
However, Stidham's path to glory is not without challenges. Unlike Reich, who had thrown 47 passes in five appearances, Stidham has yet to throw a single pass in the 2024 regular season. His limited playing time, with only four career starts, raises questions about his readiness for the conference title game.
Despite these concerns, Stidham has the opportunity to make history. In 1972, Roger Staubach made his first start of the year in the NFC Championship, though the Cowboys ultimately lost to Washington. Stidham's potential success could be a testament to his resilience and determination, or it could become a cautionary tale for future quarterbacks.
As Stidham prepares for his pivotal moment, he'll face either the team that drafted him in 2019 (the Patriots) or the Houston successors to the Oilers franchise, a team that Frank Reich led to victory 33 years ago. Will Stidham etch his name in the annals of NFL history, or will he become a reminder of the risks of playing the 'what ifs'?
