Broncos' Jarrett Stidham to more than double NFL playoff record set by Joe Webb in 2012

The Denver Broncos are entering their AFC Championship matchup against the New England Patriots with a major hurdle to clear.

Bo Nix is out, and Jarrett Stidham is in. He's not played in the NFL in a while, over two years ago, but the statistics behind such a start make things even more dire for Denver.

As ESPN Research revealed, Stidham, expected to start vs. the Patriots and throw his first pass since 2024, will more than double the previous record for longest time between passes for a starting quarterback in the playoff game.

Broncos' Jarrett Stidham more than doubling wrong kind of NFL history

"Stidham's last pass attempt in a game came Jan. 7, 2024, against the Raiders. When the AFC Championship Game kicks off, it will be 749 days since his last attempt. That would be more than double the longest span between pass attempts for a QB starting a playoff game since 1950," ESPN Research found.

With Nix out, Stidham will get to make his first passes in his career since the 2023 NFL season in the final week of the year. It will be over two years since he's attempted a pass in the NFL.

That 749-day number more than doubles the previous record, which is held by Joe Webb when he started a playoff game for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012 after not throwing a pass in the NFL in 370 days.

More: Who is Jarrett Stidham? Broncos backup QB who will take over for Bo Nix

But that game was a Wild Card matchup, and on the road. Stidham is more than doubling this record, at home, in the AFC Championship game.

The stakes are vastly different. Webb's team lost 24-10, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Denver lose to the Patriots due to the massive difference in quarterback play.

This injury to Nix is one of the more stunning storylines this NFL season, and it is terrible news for the Broncos. And with this statistic, the odds of beating the Patriots feel even slimmer than before.

Don't count the Broncos out yet, thanks to their stacked roster outside of the quarterback position. But it's going to be an uphill battle, and it would take some incredible NFL history to be made if Denver wants to win.

More Broncos news:

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• Can Broncos sign a free-agent quarterback to replace injured Bo Nix?
• Broncos' Jarrett Stidham set for football history not done in NFL since Cowboys' Roger Staubach in 1972
• Broncos' Sean Payton shares what Bo Nix said about season-ending ankle injury
• Ja'Quan McMillian OT interception: How Broncos cornerback stole ball from Brandin Cooks and saved Denver's season