The irony was that the season-defining decision — correction: make that the season-ending mistake — was set up by a brilliant piece of effort by the man who, in the moment, looked like he was authoring one of the greatest football stories ever told.
The Broncos were already leading the Patriots 7-0 and they were driving for more. The North Pole conditions that would paralyze the proceedings where they stood later on were still a few miles in the distance. Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High was aflame and abuzz with hope and anticipation.
And Jarrett Stidham — Jarrett Stidham! — was a big reason why.
He’d already thrown the touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton that gave the Broncos the early jump, set up by a stunning 52-yard toss to Marvin Mims Jr. that rocked the yard to its core. And after a few nervous slings early he’d looked calm and confident. Now he took a snap on third-and-6, the ball at the New England 19.
