All eyes are on Sam Darnold after he popped up on the injury report Thursday with an oblique injury. Darnold has said he's confident he'll be able to play through it, but he is officially listed as questionable. If he's unable to go, backup Drew Lock would be thrust into the starting role for this playoff matchup.

San Francisco 49ers legendary QB John Brodie, a franchise Hall of Famer and 1970 NFL MVP award winner, died on Friday at the age of 90.  NFL.com's Eric Edholm breaks down three must-know storylines for when the New England Patriots play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

The Rams receiver left the game after a kickoff return late in the third quarter.

Jarrett Stidham will start for Denver in place of Bo Nix in the AFC Championship Game

The Chargers will be without running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) and cornerback Nikko Reed (hamstring). Running backs Hassan Haskins (concussion) and Kimani Vidal (neck) are questionable, as is cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder).

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is out for the season, including the AFC championship game. Here's the latest injury update on Nix:

Star tight end George Kittle had his season ended earlier than expected after suffering an Achilles injury during the 2025 NFL Playoff against the Philadelphia Eagles. That injury isn't preventing Kittle from enjoying his second sports love though;

The New England Patriots host the Jarrett Stidham-led Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game as each team seeks a trip to Super Bowl LX.