The Denver Broncos were the cream of the crop in the AFC for much of this season.
They finished 13-1 down the stretch of the season after a rough 1-2 start, and it seemed like they were destined for the Super Bowl after beating Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in their first playoff game.
However, head coach Sean Payton revealed after that game that second-year quarterback Bo Nix fractured his ankle and would be out for the season.
That set up Jarrett Stidham to step into the starter role in the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots.
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Both offenses were anemic, as MVP runner-up Drake Maye totaled just 86 yards through the air for New England, while Denver’s offense could only muster 186 yards.
Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II was asked who he believed would win between the Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, telling reporters, “35-7 Seattle.”
It’s hard to tell if the top cornerback in the NFL truly believes this will be the result, but it seems like Surtain may still be a little upset about his team’s loss.
Given how Maye and New England’s offense performed, it isn’t farfetched to believe Nix would have gotten the Broncos over the hump.
The Patriots’ only touchdown of the game came on a drive that started in the red zone thanks to a massive blunder from Stidham.
Surtain did his part in the game like he always does, so it’s easy to understand why he may feel like the Broncos deserve to be in New England’s position instead.