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The Ringer NFL Show

AFC Championship Game Burning Questions with Ben Solak!

22 Jan 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What are the main storylines for the AFC Championship Game?

6.325 - 8.087 Sheil Kapadia

Welcome to the Ringer NFL show.

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Chapter 2: How does the Broncos offense match up against the Patriots defense?

8.168 - 16.799 Sheil Kapadia

I'm your host, Shiel Kapadia. We are breaking down the championship games over the next two episodes. We'll do the AFC today and the NFC tomorrow.

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Chapter 3: What strategies can the Broncos use to upset the Patriots?

16.819 - 39.535 Sheil Kapadia

So today we've got Patriots-Broncos. What will Sean Payton's plan be with Jarrett Stidham? What is the blueprint for an upset? We'll talk about all aspects of the matchup And then had to finish the show with a story everyone's talking about. What is going on in Buffalo? Just a wild press conference with their owner, Terry Pagula, in the aftermath of them firing Sean McDermott.

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39.555 - 51.327 Sheil Kapadia

So my guest today is our old friend, ESPN's Ben Solak. He's going to join us for the two-parter. Let's take a break. We'll come back with Ben. The Ringer NFL show is presented by FanDuel.

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Chapter 4: What is the Patriots' defensive strength heading into the game?

51.667 - 75.36 Sheil Kapadia

FanDuel's got it all. Same game parlays, quick bets for jumping in live and your way so you can build the bet that fits your play. Plus, don't miss out on the NFL playoffs all month long. Download the FanDuel app or head to FanDuel.com slash Ringer NFL to get started. 21 plus and present in select states or 18 plus and present in D.C., Kentucky or Wyoming. Gambling problem?

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Chapter 5: How does Sean Payton plan to utilize Jared Stidham?

75.4 - 107.114 Sheil Kapadia

Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit rg-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org slash chat in Connecticut. All right, we are back here with our old pal, ESPN's Ben Solak. Benny Soles, are you ready to talk a little AFC Championship?

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107.715 - 113.385 Ben Solak

I am. On the great Netflix platform. I hear the ba-dum in the background. I'm going to be watching this on Netflix the minute it drops.

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Chapter 6: What are the expectations for Jared Stidham in this matchup?

113.445 - 114.126 Ben Solak

I'm so excited.

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114.224 - 133.778 Sheil Kapadia

Okay, there you go. We'll let you know. And you can watch this on Netflix or on Spotify or listen on Spotify. So many ways to get the show. All right, Solak. I think the only way to talk about this game is to try to figure out how the Broncos can pull off the upset with Jarrett Stidham. That is just the central theme of this game. So we'll get to the other side of the ball in a minute.

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Chapter 7: How have the Patriots performed defensively in recent games?

133.798 - 154.91 Sheil Kapadia

But let's start with Denver's offense. And I want to know from you. How should Sean Payton, who I've said before, is feeling this? I mean, if he can win a Super Bowl with Jared Stidham, he's going to be the most insufferable man in America. And probably rightfully so, because that would be... Is there a bar of insufferability that Sean Payton has yet to achieve? There's an upper limit there?

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155.23 - 156.312 Sheil Kapadia

This might be the only one.

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Chapter 8: What insights were shared about the Buffalo Bills' recent press conference?

156.452 - 163.182 Sheil Kapadia

So what are your expectations for Sean Payton? His game plan with Jared Stidham. How do you think he approaches this thing?

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163.583 - 178.718 Ben Solak

So I actually think that the system that they run with Bo Nix is one that fairly takes a lot of the operation out from the quarterback just in terms of there's a lot of screens and RPOs and just the sort of stuff that's very quarterback-friendly. Play action, the design, rollout game. It's not that it's... It's the same as the two-a conversation.

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178.778 - 192.694 Ben Solak

It's not that it's easier means the quarterback's terrible. It's just that the head coach says, I'm very good at this. And so I'll be getting us to a lot of our good spots. And the quarterback just needs to point guard. So a lot of the base offense... can I think remain the same. The one thing that you do lose is the quarterback running game.

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192.814 - 210.363 Ben Solak

You saw that be a huge part of their approach against the Bills. Early drives, especially on late downs, right, to convert. So I do think that your short yardage stuff gets a little bit strained. Stidham will throw a very nice deep ball. Nick's had a great deep ball game against the Bills, but in general, has been one of the least accurate deep ball throwers since he entered the league in 24.

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210.763 - 226.606 Ben Solak

So I think you could see the field stretch a little bit more, a little bit more shot plays, longer dropbacks in the pocket, a little bit more climb and step up. He's a bit bigger and he stands there a little bit longer. But at the same time, you start welcoming pressures and sacks if you go that way. And Bodex is a superpower.

226.626 - 244.633 Ben Solak

The thing that he does best that keeps this offense chugging is he takes no sacks. Since he entered the league, 3.5% sack rate is the lowest of all quarterbacks in football. Stidham over his four starts at 8%, which is a very league average number. And so you can go for longer dropbacks. Use the fact that Stidham is a little bit more accurate throwing down the field, a little bit bigger of an arm.

245.054 - 258.064 Ben Solak

Use it to your advantage. But at the same time, you're going to get a lot more negatives. And I think you really want to avoid negatives in this game, try to make it low scoring, make it murky. And I'm not sure that there'll be enough juice for it to squeeze with your receivers against the Patriots' corners.

258.425 - 275.586 Ben Solak

And so I could see them being a little bit more shot play oriented, but I largely think the offense will operate X's and O's wise, quite similar to how it does with Knicks. They're just going to be some more unique changeups, like your first and 10 flea flickers and your second and seven reverses. And the way you try to get the drop on the Patriots so you can manufacture an explosive.

275.903 - 287.662 Sheil Kapadia

No, I could tell by the way you spoke about Bo Nix there, that you are a man who has maybe had a little rollercoaster ride with Bo Nix. And then you get Broncos fans. They've been aggressive with me. They're aggressive with everyone.

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