Losing a cornerstone player like Bo Nix or Zach Charbonnet during the Divisional Round is a massive blow, but NFL history is filled with "next man up" success stories. While the Broncos and Seahawks face uphill battles this Sunday, they can look to a couple legendary precedents where teams lost key starters and still punched their ticket to the Super Bowl.

The most famous modern example is the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles. After losing MVP-candidate quarterback Carson Wentz to a torn ACL late in the regular season, Nick Foles took over. Despite being heavy underdogs throughout the playoffs, Foles led the Eagles through the Divisional Round, a dominant Conference Championship win, and eventually won Super Bowl LII.

Another example is the 1990 New York Giants. They lost starting quarterback Phil Simms to a broken foot in Week 15. Backup Jeff Hostetler, who had very little starting experience, stepped in and managed the offense through the Divisional Round and a gritty 15-13 win in the NFC Championship, eventually leading them to a Super Bowl XXV victory.

Which team can overcome the loss?

The Broncos enter as the AFC's top seed but starting a backup QB in the Conference Championship. Bo Nix was the engine of this offense, finishing the regular season with 3,931 passing yards, ranking 8th among quarterbacks, and 30 total touchdowns, ranking 9th.

Jarrett Stidham now takes the reins with only four career starts under his belt. However, the narrative in Denver is focused on a supporting cast that remains elite. The Broncos' defense led the league in pressure rate and sacks, which will be the primary factor in keeping them competitive against Drake Maye and the Patriots.

The Seahawks enter their matchup against the Rams without Zach Charbonnet, who was a touchdown machine in the red zone this season. Charbonnet ranked 6th among running backs with 12 rushing touchdowns and was highly efficient in short-yardage situations with 19 carries inside the 5-yard line, ranking 6th.

Despite this loss, Seattle remains the favorite. Sam Darnold has led the Seahawks to a 14-3 regular season record. The Seahawks' defense, which improved from 25th back in 2023 to 1st in points allowed this season under Mike Macdonald, is the real reason they're expected to advance. With Kenneth Walker III still available to handle the backfield, the loss of Charbonnet is significant but not necessarily a season-ender.

History shows that a dominant defense can often carry a team through the loss of a key offensive player. The 2026 Broncos and Seahawks are both hoping their top-tier defensive units can bridge the gap.

👇️ Read below to see how these injuries are impacting best bets this weekend.

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🏈 How Jarrett Stidham Impacts Which Prop Bets to Back

by Ed Egros - Connect on X @EdWithSports

To advance to their first Super Bowl in a decade, the Denver Broncos will have to rely on a backup quarterback.  Bo Nix is out with an ankle injury, and Jarrett Stidham is in despite having started just four games in six seasons in the NFL.  

Massive Line Movement

Prior to the win over Buffalo, Denver was projected to be a 1.5-point favorite over New England.  With Stidham starting, the line shifted radically to Patriots -4.5, further moved to -5.5, then returned to -4.5.  

Let’s do a deeper dive on Stidham to see which props we should be on for the AFC Championship Game:

Before the NFL

Just like Nix, Stidham was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, ranked as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country in 2015.  247Sports even had him ahead of Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray and Sam Darnold!  

He enrolled at Baylor but later transferred to Auburn, where he threw for nearly 6,000 yards and 36 touchdowns in two seasons on the Plains.  Stidham also led the Tigers to the SEC West crown, an upset win over Alabama and a Peach Bowl appearance in 2017.

However, the following season at Auburn undid the winning pedigree he had shown in high school and college.

As a Pro

Despite these accomplishments, Stidham was drafted in the fourth round in part because, according to NFL analyst Lance Zierlein, he “lost both his confidence and poise and began to play a rushed brand of football”.  

Though the start of his NFL career wasn’t noteworthy, he’s played for Sean Payton ever since the former Saints coach joined the Broncos.  

Why?  His ability “to rip it”.  Stidham averaged 8.7 intended air yards per throw in 2023.  If you compare that with 2025 performances, it would be tied for seventh-most.  

How to Bet on Stidham

A rocket arm, a history of winning and the knowledge of Payton’s offensive system all bode well for Stidham.  So, using Jaxon’s prop sheets, here are a few best bets for Patriots at Broncos.

Stidham U32.5 Passing Attempts (+110)

Just because Stidham might “rip it” doesn’t mean he will do so frequently.  The Broncos have a formidable ground game they may mean lean on: 

There are also a couple of receivers not fully healthy: Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin.  Game script of being an underdog and having to throw more may not be relevant with a backup quarterback.  Jarrett Stidham will not throw more than 32 passes Sunday.

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🏈 Kenneth Walker III: The Red Zone Vacuum

With Zach Charbonnet sidelined due to a season-ending knee injury, Kenneth Walker's role is expected to expand from a primary option to a near-exclusive one. Charbonnet led the Seahawks with 12 rushing touchdowns during the regular season, and his absence vacates a massive share of high-value touches inside the 20-yard line.

Walker has already proven he can handle the increased volume. In his lone appearance this season without Charbonnet, he dismantled the Saints' defense for two touchdowns. Walker has also displayed a unique killer-instinct against the Rams, finding the end zone in both head-to-head meetings against Los Angeles this season, even with Charbonnet in the lineup. While the Rams' defense ranks 4th in the league defending rushing touchdowns, Walker's projected volume makes him the focal point of Sunday's scoring script.

The Red Zone Opportunity

During the 2025 regular season, Walker recorded 34 red zone carries, ranking 20th among running backs, and 8 carries inside the 5-yard line, ranking 34th. In the one game this season where Walker operated without Charbonnet, his usage inside the 10-yard line doubled compared to his season average, directly resulting in his multi-score performance against New Orleans.

Kenneth Walker III Anytime Touchdown (-150)

Walker is the heavy favorite to score in this matchup for a reason. His odds reflect a player who will likely see 20-plus carries and nearly all the work inside the 10-yard line. Seattle's offensive DVOA ranks 10th in the league and they've been efficient in the red zone when leaning on Walker's 4.65 yards per carry.

While Walker is primarily a rushing threat, his involvement in the passing game shouldn't be overlooked in a high-stakes playoff environment. He recorded 31 receptions this season and has a 100% catch rate inside the 10-yard line. If the Rams stack the box to stop the traditional run, look for Seattle to utilize Walker on screen passes or swings near the goal line.

Kenneth Walker III First Half Touchdown (+175)

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has emphasized starting fast in the postseason. In the Wild Card round, Walker matched Shaun Alexander's franchise playoff record with a dominant performance. Betting on Walker to find the end zone in the first half offers excellent value.

The Rams' defense is dealing with injuries of their own. Defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon is on IR, and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is questionable. A weakened secondary could give Walker more room to navigate once he reaches the second level.

Still not sure what to bet on?

Use the Parlay Generator for instant picks or ask Jaxon to break down any matchup you’re considering. You can also discover player props on the consistency sheets! The tools are here to give you an edge when it matters most.