"The first half of Sunday's AFC championship game, played between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos, was ugly and halting, featuring two bumbling offenses questing for any sort of foothold or forward momentum. Denver quarterback Jarrett Stidham, thrust into action by Bo Nix's season-ending ankle injury last weekend, connected on a deep ball on Denver's second drive, setting up a Broncos touchdown."
"New England's lone score of the first half came at the end of a 12-yard drive following an astoundingly boneheaded turnover from Stidham: On a short third down in his own territory, Stidham retreated 20 yards under pressure and then desperately chest-passed the ball toward the sideline. A referee blew the play dead, which prevented what should have been a lovely scoop-and-score for New England's Elijah Ponder."
The first half was ugly and halting, with two bumbling offenses struggling to find momentum. Denver's Jarrett Stidham, playing after Bo Nix's season-ending ankle injury, connected on a deep ball that set up a Broncos touchdown. New England's Drake Maye produced five punts and only 67 total yards. Stidham turned the ball over on a short third down when he retreated under pressure and chest-passed toward the sideline; a referee blew the play dead, wiping out a potential scoop-and-score, and the Patriots later scored on a quarterback draw. Sean Payton chose to pass on fourth-and-one from the 14, the Broncos failed to convert, and Denver's passing attack collapsed thereafter.
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