Jarrett Stidham's Wife Kennedy Reflects on Loss to Patriots amid Criticism of Broncos QB

The wife of Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham thanked fans for their support following the team's 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC title game.

"We love this team, we love this city," Kennedy Stidham wrote in an Instagram Story (via the New York Post's Jaclyn Hendricks). "Thank yall for the kindest support all week. This city is so special, this team is so special. We wanted this so badly for everyone."

Bo Nix's season-ending ankle injury thrust Stidham into the spotlight with Denver just one win away from the Super Bowl. There was hope, both internally and externally, that he could hold down the fort and help the Broncos advance.

Kennedy was on hand to watch it all unfold.

Unfortunately for Stidham and the Broncos, the wintry conditions helped to make his first career playoff start a day to forget. He finished 17-of-31 for 133 yards and a touchdown, and his interception in the fourth quarter effectively sealed the result.

▶️ Full Patriots-Broncos Recap

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Stidham made some puzzling decisions at times that exposed his lack of NFL starting experience. Blaming him for the loss would be far too harsh, though.

The wind, snow and cold temperatures made it almost impossible to have an effective passing game. The New England Patriots' Drake Maye is an MVP candidate, yet he had just 86 yards through the air.

"I thought he fought hard in tough conditions," head coach Sean Payton said of Stidham after the game. "I think we're going to look at the film, and I know I'm going to look at it and be critical of myself. There were a number of things we had to do better. We didn't finish some runs, we dropped some passes again, and that was a problem all year. And when we had the momentum, we didn't ... come away with enough having had the momentum and that field position."

Stidham was unable to craft a Cinderella story like that of Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles. Conversely, his outing wasn't so spectacularly bad that it will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

More than anything, Stidham and the Broncos will be disappointed at getting so close to an AFC title and falling short.