Le Journal

Following Mike Vrabel’s latest decision ahead of the AFC Championship Game, the New England Patriots have been warned about a key factor in their matchup with the Denver Broncos. The New England Patriots are one win away from reaching Super Bowl LX. Coming into the season, only a few—if any—thought Mike Vrabel could lead this team so far in such short notice. The locker room believed, though, and the results are now out there for everybody in the NFL to see. However, one last hurdle stands in the Patriots’ way, that is none other than the Denver Broncos. Though missing Bo Nix could prove to be Denver’s Achilles’ heel, the Broncos are putting the Patriots on notice, as a key weapon could return to help Jarrett Stidham. If all else fails, Denver can always lean on its home-field advantage, which is unique in the NFL. As reported by The Boston Herald, the Pats won’t board the five-hour flight to Colorado until Saturday. Thus, they will be touching down in Denver roughly 24 hours prior to the AFC Championship Game on Sunday at 3:00 pm ET. According to a physics expert, Vrabel and the Patriots may be underestimating the adversity they will be up against in the Mile High City. “Given the same temperature in Gillette and Mile High, the air is about 20% less dense in Mile High, so that’s 20% less oxygen,” physics professor Nancy Burnham forewarned the Patriots, via The Boston Herald. “If you don’t have the oxygen, your muscles can’t do their thing, so it’s a concern. I’ve been pleased to watch the Patriots’ resurgence, but I hope that they get out there soon. They’re taking a chance, they’re putting themselves at risk.” Mike Vrabel during a Patriots game. Home-field advantage Throughout the league, every team likes to believe it holds an edge when playing at home. For some, that advantage comes directly from their fans. Others have created their own edge through specific elements of their stadium or field design. However, the Broncos possess an advantage unlike any other: altitude. At Empower Field at Mile High, players compete 5,280 feet above sea level. There has long been a debate over the best way to handle that challenge. Some believe it’s best to arrive shortly before kickoff, giving players’ bodies little time to register the change in altitude. Others, however, argue that acclimatization—arriving well in advance—is the better approach. Both theories have their pros and cons. Vrabel and the Patriots are now leaning toward the former. New England knows it’s rolling the dice, but the belief is that this roster can push through adversity—and that playing in the Mile High City is simply another opportunity to prove it. Patriots vie to end their hex Nix’s season-ending injury may be the decisive factor that helps New England snap its all-time drought in Colorado. The Broncos and Patriots have met five times in the NFL Playoffs, with Denver holding a 4–1 advantage. Moreover, New England has never won a postseason game at Mile High. Will history repeat itself, or will the Pats finally plant their flag in what’s become their house of horrors? If the Patriots advance past the Broncos, Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel would accomplish a feat not even Tom Brady and Bill Belichick could pull off. Many will point to the fact that Stidham is making his first start in more than two years. It’s a reasonable argument, but the reality remains: New England is 0–4 in Denver, and Vrabel’s squad now has a chance to end the franchise’s curse in the Centennial State.

Jarrett Stidham went through a very difficult moment with the Denver Broncos when they learned that Bo Nix was out of the 2026 NFL playoffs due to a season ending injury. Jarrett Stidham explained how he found out about Bo Nix’s injury and the starting quarterback’s reaction after the game between the Denver Broncos and the Buffalo Bills. No one expected it to happen in the middle of the celebration after securing a spot in the AFC Championship Game. “When we had that last drive of the game, Bo comes off the sideline and you could tell he was in some sort of pain, but, we didn’t really know. Obviously, we were all excited that we’re going to the AFC Championship Game. Then, we get back to the locker room, we didn’t really find out until the X-rays came back. It was just devastating for him. My heart goes out to him and everything that he means to this team. We wouldn’t be in this position without Bo. We want to make him proud.” Now, the Broncos will look to reach the Super Bowl with Stidham at the helm against one of the best defenses in the NFL. In addition, Drake Maye showed throughout the entire season that he is a very strong candidate to be named MVP. Broncos lose Bo Nix after season ending injury Bo Nix suffered an ankle injury that required surgery. As a result, the star quarterback will not be able to return in the playoffs to help the Denver Broncos. This has caused all the attention to be focused on Jarrett Stidham. “This is not about myself. Obviously, my thoughts and prayers have been with Bo. It’s crushing because he’s one of my best friends. I probably spend more time with him than his wife does right now. That’s just the nature of the business that we’re in. I see Bo more than I see my kids.” For Stidham, it was very sad to see one of his close friends watch his dream of competing for a championship on the field get crushed. “You spend so much time with someone. You see how hard he works and how good of a teammate he is. And then that happens and you just feel crushed for him and everything.”