OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week
Where there are winners, there are losers. While some losses are unavoidable, others can be traced to a single performance or decision. Those players earn the unfortunate distinction of being this week’s bobbleheads.
The conference champions have been crowned, and the Super Bowl matchup is set, with the New England Patriots facing the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60 on Sunday, Feb. 8.
Here are the Bobbleheads of the Week, whose mistakes came at the worst possible moments.
Los Angeles Rams: wide receiver Xavier Smith
On Jan. 25, the third matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks lived up to the hype, with Seattle prevailing 31-27 in front of a rowdy crowd at Lumen Field.
Trailing 17-13 early in the second half, Los Angeles forced a crucial stop, giving quarterback Matt Stafford a chance to lead a go-ahead drive. Instead, disaster struck on the ensuing punt.
Smith attempted to field the kick while falling to the turf and lost control of the ball. Seattle then recovered inside the Rams’ 20-yard line, stealing a possession Los Angeles could not afford to lose.
The Seahawks capitalized with a touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Darnold to wide receiver Jake Bobo. The Rams ultimately lost by four points, and the turnover proved to be the difference, sending Los Angeles into the offseason while Seattle prepares for its fourth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
Denver Broncos: Head Coach Sean Payton
One of the season’s biggest surprises was Denver’s run to the AFC’s top seed with a 14-3 record. That success unraveled quickly in the conference championship.
After outlasting the Buffalo Bills the previous week, Payton made a costly decision by calling a quarterback run for Bo Nix on the second-to-last play of overtime. Nix suffered a fractured ankle on the play, ending his season.
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Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who had not thrown an NFL pass in more than two years, was thrust into action. He started strong, connecting with wide receiver Courtland Sutton for a touchdown on Denver’s second possession.
That would be Denver’s only score in the game.
As snow fell at Empower Field, the Broncos’ offense stalled. Payton’s play calling grew conservative, relying on wide receiver screens on third-and-long situations and repeated runs up the middle despite little success.
Denver had a chance to take a 10-0 lead in the second quarter but opted to go for it on fourth-and-one. A rollout pass from Stidham fell incomplete, and the missed opportunity loomed large. Later in the quarter, Stidham fumbled deep in Denver territory, setting up an easy touchdown for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
With the score tied 7-7 at halftime after both kickers missed field goals, New England opened the second half with a 10-minute drive that ended in a field goal. That proved to be the game-winning score.
Denver’s final desperation drive stalled amid questionable play calling and an offensive line that struggled to protect Stidham. Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez sealed the win with a late interception, sending New England to its 12th Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
Simon Reseigh is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @simon_reseigh
