“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Had Broncos Country been told before the season that Denver would fall in the AFC Championship, the reaction would have been ecstatic. Instead, the loss felt devastating — due in part to Bo Nix’s absence and a handful of questionable calls and plays that may have changed the outcome. The silver lining is clear: this team is well ahead of schedule and positioned to contend for years to come. Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its AFC Championship grades, highlighting the game’s best and worst individual performances.
Offense
Best Players
- OT Mike McGlinchey: 82.1
- TE Evan Engram: 71.7
- OT Garett Bolles: 69.7
- RB Tyler Badie: 67.4
- OG Ben Powers: 67.1
There was little to celebrate offensively after Stidham’s first-quarter touchdown. The most explosive play of the day came on his 52-yard completion to Mims (66.1), who finished sixth overall. It was puzzling that Mims wasn’t more involved afterward, as he added just 10 more receiving yards the rest of the game.
Worst Players
- TE Adam Trautman: 31.1
- QB Jarrett Stidham: 45.6
- RB Jaleel McLaughlin: 49.6
- FB Adam Prentice: 50.8
- WR Courtland Sutton: 52.3
In what was arguably the team’s worst offensive performance of the season, there were plenty of disappointments. Although Stidham started strong with a 52-yard completion that set up a six-yard touchdown to Sutton, his two turnovers ultimately proved too costly to overcome. Sutton also had a crushing third-down drop in the first quarter that would have put the team on the verge of entering field-goal range.
Defense
Best Players
- CB Pat Surtain II: 84.6
- DB Talanoa Hufanga: 81.4
- DB Devon Key: 80.3
- LB Alex Singleton: 79.3
- DB Dre Greenlaw: 74.4
Surtain proved why he’s the best corner in the league with a pass breakup on Kayshon Boutte that would have resulted in a touchdown in the first quarter. PFF credited Hufanga with eight total tackles and zero receptions allowed.
Worst Players
- CB Riley Moss: 49.8
- DL D.J. Jones: 54.1
- OLB Dondrea Tillman: 56.1
- DL Malcolm Roach: 56.2
- DL Zach Allen: 60.0
With the only touchdown of the day coming off a short 12-yard drive following Stidham’s fumble, it’s difficult to find much to criticize about this unit. Per PFF, Moss allowed three receptions on seven targets for 57 yards—including a 31-yard gain—which contributed to his low grade.
Special Teams
- ST Kris Abrams-Draine: 73.4
- LS Mitchell Fraboni: 64.5
- KR Marvin Mims Jr.: 61.6
- P Jeremy Crawshaw: 69.3
- K Wil Lutz: 49.4 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
Crawshaw delivered an outstanding performance, consistently pinning the Patriots’ offense in difficult field position. Lutz, however, missed a 54-yard field goal in the second quarter and had a 45-yard attempt blocked in the fourth quarter—an opportunity that would have tied the game.
Until next season!