Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

We just saw Denver lose a conference championship game 10-7 in a game where their kicker missed a couple kicks.

The 1991 Broncos similarly lost an AFC Championship Game game 10-7 and their kicker missed multiple kicks.

Both games also featured Denver’s backup quarterback playing (Stidham and Gary Kubiak). The latter was not the starter but came in, and actually scored the only Denver points of that game late.

I can’t help but ask: Which defensive performance of the two was better: The Bronco defense today or the team in 1991?

Good question. The Broncos defense played a great defensive game against the Bills in an era where they could get away with more on the field. The Bills played great on defense as well, as Elway had to leave the game. I watched it on tv and thought Kubiak would pull it out.

The officials let the players play today, but Stidham cost them after a great defensive game from the Broncos. I feel the game from 1991 for the Broncos was better considering all the HOF players the Bills had on offense. This NE offense had a great year but only Maye made an All-Pro team. Kudos to the Patriots activating an unknown player who blocked a game-tying FG.

Too bad the Seahawks-Rams game didnt have as good an officiating job ...

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 1:20 am Good question. The Broncos defense played a great defensive game against the Bills in an era where they could get away with more on the field. The Bills played great on defense as well, as Elway had to leave the game. I watched it on tv and thought Kubiak would pull it out.

The officials let the players play today, but Stidham cost them after a great defensive game from the Broncos. I feel the game from 1991 for the Broncos was better considering all the HOF players the Bills had on offense. This NE offense had a great year but only Maye made an All-Pro team. Kudos to the Patriots activating an unknown player who blocked a game-tying FG.

Too bad the Seahawks-Rams game didnt have as good an officiating job ...

I could see that. Especially when you consider the following:

In the 1991 AFC Championship Game, Jim Kelly was held to the lowest passer rating of his playoff career (31.6).

Thurman Thomas was held to 26 carries for 72 yards (2.77 yards per carry; the third lowest of the 17 playoff games where he was given ten carries; the other two of which were games of 10 and 16 carries)

Andre Reed was held to 19 yards receiving on four targets (he has three games with no catches, and three others of more targets for fewer yards, but it's still a little over half of his career playoff average yards per target) For that matter, no Buffalo target got more than 39 yards receiving.

Denver did that on top of forcing eight punts and getting two interceptions. Another factor here is that Denver was at home today, whereas this game was played in Buffalo. The 91 AFC Title game is on YouTube and I've watched some of it, it wasn't snowy but it did look windy.

In that Buffalo game, Lofton wasnt a factor as well and despite a great offensive line with Hull at center, the Broncos took it too them. Kelly didnt play great but got the win. His worst postseason game was against Dallas in the 1992/93 SB where he had three turnovers before getting injured in the second quarter.

In this game earlier, Lutz didnt kick too well, which could have bailed out Stidham. Hats off to Mims though, who was a factor in this postseason. Can he reach his potential as a receiver next year? Where the hell was Engram today? Will the Broncos keep him next year?

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 4:06 am In that Buffalo game, Lofton wasnt a factor as well and despite a great offensive line with Hull at center, the Broncos took it too them. Kelly didnt play great but got the win. His worst postseason game was against Dallas in the 1992/93 SB where he had three turnovers before getting injured in the second quarter.

In this game earlier, Lutz didnt kick too well, which could have bailed out Stidham. Hats off to Mims though, who was a factor in this postseason. Can he reach his potential as a receiver next year? Where the hell was Engram today? Will the Broncos keep him next year?

I’d say Stidham was at the very least better than I expected. That said as the game went on it felt like New England adjusted to him, and the snow occurring after the Patriots took the lead wouldn’t have helped Denver.

Watching a replay of the game, the Patriots could have went up 14-7 on that long drive to open the second half. Maye missed a wide open Hollins at the goalline, watching the rush and getting sacked. He will have to keep his eyes more downfield for this SB.

Its hard to believe that the Patriots won with less than 100 yards passing but Maye ran well.