Former Super Bowl champ Brandon Stokley sat down with The Action Network to talk through what’s left of the NFL postseason, who he trusts most heading into the Super Bowl, who’s feeling the pressure, and which teams didn’t show up when the moment got big.
Key Highlights
Stokley picks the Seattle Seahawks to win the Super Bowl:
“I think they’re the most well-rounded football team.”The Green Bay Packers were the biggest playoff letdown:
“You’re up 21–3. You can’t lose that football game. There were a lot of expectations for them.”Stokley blames Josh Allen for the Bills’ playoff exit against the Broncos:
“In this one, Josh Allen didn’t perform well.”He calls Jaxon Smith-Njigba a matchup headache:
“The first thing the Super Bowl opponent will say is, ‘We’ve got to slow this guy down.’”Stokley still believes the Denver Broncos can keep their playoff run alive, despite injuries and long odds:
“I’m not writing them off yet. There are a lot of things moving in their direction.”Stokley says Sam Darnold has earned the locker room and can handle the spotlight:
“I think he’s going to show the world he’s built for these types of moments”
Super Bowl Pick
Q: If you’re picking one of these four right now, who are you taking to win it all?
“I think it’s wide open this year. It feels like a totally different year. You look at the emergence of Bo Nix and Drake Maye in the AFC, and Sam Darnold on what he did last year. Then you’ve got the wily veteran in Matthew Stafford, who’s actually won one.”
“But I’m going with Seattle right now. I think they’re the most well-rounded football team. They run the ball really well, they’ve got weapons for Sam Darnold to throw to, and defensively they’re loaded too.”
“Broncos losing Bo Nix was a tough blow, but I’m going with Seattle. I think it’s going to be a really good game against the Rams in the NFC Championship game. They know each other well as divisional opponents, but I’m saying the Seahawks. I played with the Seahawks for one year, so it’s a fun place to play.”
Why Seattle Is His Super Bowl Pick
Q: What’s the biggest reason you’re leaning Seattle?
“You’ve got a veteran quarterback who’s emerged the last two years. All the talk was he couldn’t win the big game. Last year in Minnesota, he had a great year but couldn’t win the big game, but he did it last week.”
“When you go through the adversity he’s gone through, being a high first-round pick, going to the Jets and people saying you’re a bust, and the next thing you know you’re in the NFC Championship game as a starting quarterback, that’s a lot. He’s handled it.”
“You can tell his teammates love playing with him and playing for him. A guy like that has a lot to prove, and I think he’s going to show the world he’s built for these types of moments.”
Brandon’s Take on Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Q: Jaxon Smith-Njigba has had a huge season and broke franchise records. Is he the matchup that really swings this Rams game?
“Absolutely. That guy can do it all. Great route runner underneath and intermediate, and he can go deep because he’s got that speed. You can put him inside in the slot, he can play outside, you can move him all over the place. He’s just a great football player.”
“When he gets the football in his hands, he’s hard to tackle. Some quarterbacks and wide receivers just have that chemistry, and it looks like Sam Darnold and him do.”
“He’s been awesome this year. If they beat the Rams, the first thing the Super Bowl opponent will look at is their passing game and say, we’ve got to slow this guy down. It’s easier said than done.”
Seattle vs. San Francisco: Defense, Injuries, and the Bigger Picture
Q: Seattle held the 49ers to six points. Was that Seattle’s defense, the Niners’ injuries, or both?
“Seattle’s defense is really good, and they’re playing at home. That place is going to be rocking.”
“But the 49ers aren’t what they were a couple years ago. Offensively, they transitioned this year. No more Deebo, Brandon Aiyuk was hurt and he’s not returning, and then George Kittle tears his Achilles.”
“So if you’re Brock Purdy, you’re looking around and you don’t have great chemistry with these other guys. You don’t have a big difference-maker on the outside.”
“Those guys are good receivers. You look at Ricky Pearsall, the first-round pick, but he can’t stay healthy. Jauan Jennings is a good receiver, but you don’t have that elite-level playmaker that you used to have for Brock Purdy in the passing game with George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk.”
“And then you’re playing a really good defense in Seattle. There were a bunch of factors in why San Francisco struggled throwing the football.”
Brandon on Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay
Q: The Rams have won a Super Bowl and still have Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford. How much can that playoff experience matter in a game like this?
“Absolutely. Playoff experience is huge, especially successful playoff experience like Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford have had. The moment won’t be too big for them. They’ve been there and done that.”
“Matthew Stafford is a veteran quarterback. He’s seen it all and been in all these situations.”
“I think the pressure is on Seattle. They’re the No. 1 seed, they’re hosting this game, and the Rams are the underdog.”
“Sean McVay has a Super Bowl ring. Matthew Stafford has a Super Bowl ring. So I absolutely think that playoff experience is huge in this game.”
Brandon on Bo Nix’s Growth This Season
Q: Bo Nix came through again against Buffalo. What stood out to you most about his growth this year?
“He really took a big step forward. More comfortable in the pocket, hanging in there, letting plays develop.”
“He’s not using his legs all the time, but when he has to. You didn’t see a lot of negative plays from him. He doesn’t take a lot of sacks.”
“He just makes plays, and he’s clutch. When it matters most, when the game’s on the line, can your best players make plays? That’s what Bo Nix did all year.”
“It might not have looked great for two quarters or three quarters, but when you had to have it, Bo Nix delivered. He did it against the Buffalo Bills again in the playoffs on one of the biggest stages in the NFL.”
“He’s been great through two years. It’s a shame he won’t be able to play.”
“It would’ve been great to see Drake Maye in his second year against Bo Nix in his second year in the AFC Championship game. That would’ve been awesome.”
Brandon on Denver’s Challenges Without Bo Nix,
Q: The Broncos beat the Bills in overtime, then the Bo Nix news hits. How much does that change things against the Patriots?
“I’m living here in Denver, and I’m crying today. After the game, 45 minutes to an hour later, the fans are so excited that you beat Buffalo and you’re going to the AFC Championship game.”
“Then you get the news that Bo Nix is done, and he played the whole game. It wasn’t like he got injured during the game, so it was a shock. Everybody thought it was a joke.”
“Now you don’t have your starting quarterback. It’s going to be really difficult for the Broncos to move on.”
“Jarrett Stidham has been in the league for a while and been in this system with Sean Payton for a while, so he knows the offense and he’s comfortable in it.”
“They’re playing at home, which is a huge advantage, but they’re going to have to play great. The Broncos’ defense is going to have to play great.”
“The coaching staff is going to have to do a great job scheming up a game plan for Jarrett Stidham to be successful. They’re going to have to run the ball well, can’t turn it over, and they’re going to have to do everything really well.”
“Bo Nix had such a great year, and it’s a bummer for the Broncos and for Bo, but I’m not writing them off yet. There are a lot of things moving in their direction, but they’re going to have to play really well to overcome losing Bo Nix.”
Brandon on Denver’s Receiver Injuries and Next-Man-Up Test
Q: Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin are injured too. Do the Broncos have enough receiver depth to handle this?
“I’m going to start working out again, maybe I can return in the playoffs. I’m too old, too out of shape, so that won’t be happening. I won’t be pulling the Philip Rivers, unfortunately.”
“But it stinks. Pat Bryant was playing awesome. He had three catches on the first drive, then he got a concussion, and Troy Franklin hurts his hamstring.”
“Two guys that really had a good year this year. There’s a trickle-down effect. Now Marvin Mims has to play more and he did a great job.”
“Lil’Jordan Humphrey ended up catching the touchdown after that early touchdown drop. Those are big losses.”
“Moving forward, we’ll see how long they’re out for. Having a concussion and having a hamstring, it’s hard to be able to play in a week.”
“Other guys have to step up. This is sports. Injuries happen. You’ve got to turn the page.”
“The Broncos are playing Sunday. Whether Bo Nix plays, Troy Franklin plays, or Pat Bryant plays, they’re going to play that game on Sunday. You’ve got to move on. Next man up.”
Brandon on Jarrett Stidham and the Patriots Game Plan
Q: Nick Foles said the Patriots can struggle against backups. Can Stidham make this uncomfortable for them?
“Absolutely. You don’t have a lot of film on him, and what his strengths are, what his weaknesses are. He played well in the preseason, but it’s different now.”
“The Patriots might struggle to put together the game plan for Jarrett Stidham because they don’t know how the Broncos are going to operate with Jarrett Stidham as the starting quarterback.”
“There’s no film on that from this year, so that could be an advantage for the Broncos.”
“You’re looking for little advantages because you wish you had your starting quarterback in Bo Nix, but that’s not the case.”
“Hopefully you can catch them by surprise with a few things.”
Brandon on Denver’s Underrated Playoff Run
Q: Were the Broncos underestimated coming into the year, and has that carried into the playoffs?
“They were underestimated. They had a really good year last year, but people didn’t believe in them. I’ll raise my hand, I didn’t think they were going to be this good.”
“They won the division, they took down the Chiefs, and now they’re playing in the AFC Championship game. They just beat Buffalo.”
“Even throughout the season, people doubted the Broncos. They still doubt them now, especially with Bo Nix injured.”
“Even going into Buffalo, not a lot of people gave the Broncos a chance because it was Josh Allen and the Bills.”
“People said Bo Nix and the Broncos have won all these close games, they can’t continue to do that, and their defense isn’t playing as good as it was.”
“But the Broncos figure it out. That’s what a coach does. Building the right culture, building the right guys, and that’s what Sean Payton has done with the Broncos.”
“You’re going to have adversity throughout the season, and you need the right guys in the locker room to fight through it.”
“They’re going to get overlooked in the AFC Championship game. People will say they can’t win with Jarrett Stidham.”
“So keep doing it. The Broncos are going to keep proving people wrong.”
Brandon on Josh Allen and the Risk of a Marino-Like Career
Q: Some people say Josh Allen risks becoming the modern-day Dan Marino. Is there truth to that?
“You look at great quarterbacks who’ve never won one. Dan Marino got to a Super Bowl in his second year, lost, and never got back.”
“Josh Allen hasn’t been there yet. Lamar Jackson hasn’t been there yet.”
“You look at great quarterbacks who’ve won MVPs but haven’t been able to take that next step in the playoffs. What happens as you move further along in your career? The pressure gets bigger every year.”
“You don’t know how many opportunities you’re going to get, especially a year like this where it was set up for Buffalo. No Kansas City, no Baltimore, no Joe Burrow in the playoffs.”
“They had a great path to give themselves the chance to win a Super Bowl, and you don’t know how many more opportunities like that they’re going to get.”
Brandon on Why Quarterback Pressure Keeps Growing
Q: Is the spotlight on quarterbacks heavier now than it was in the Brady-Manning, Brees, and Roethlisberger era?
“With social media and the attention on these guys, it’s so much greater than it was 20 years ago.”
“If you win a Super Bowl early like Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, the pressure is gone. You��re playing with house money.”
“With a guy like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, they’ve had individual success and regular season success, but not playoff success. They haven’t gotten to the Super Bowl, and that’s what everyone talks about.”
“The pressure continues to mount and get bigger every year.”
“I think it’s a shame because football isn’t played by one guy. You’ve got 10 other guys around you on offense, and you’ve got to count on your defense.”
“The defense has failed Josh Allen over and over again in the playoffs.”
“This is what you sign up for. This is why these guys get paid $50 million. I don’t feel sorry for them, but it’s a team sport.”
“The pressure is only going to keep growing for guys like Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen who haven’t taken that next step and won a Super Bowl.”
Brandon on Buffalo Moving On From Sean McDermott
Q: The Bills fired Sean McDermott. Was that inevitable because they couldn’t get over the playoff hump?
“You nailed it. Eventually you’ve got Josh Allen in his prime, and if you’re the owner, you’ve got to say, enough’s enough.”
“You’ve got to see if you can find a coach to take the next step. You can’t just keep doing the same thing over and over.”
“Sean McDermott was a great coach. They had a lot of success, but it’s not just about winning in the regular season. It’s about winning when it matters most, and they haven’t been able to do that.”
“So I think it’s the right move. Sometimes it’s best to move on and find a new voice in that locker room to take the next step with Josh Allen.”
“You don’t want to keep waiting and then look up and Josh Allen is 35 or 36 and never played in the Super Bowl.”
“It ran its course in Buffalo and it was time for a change.”
Biggest Disappointment So Far
Q: Biggest playoff disappointment so far, who’s at the top of the list for you?
“I’m going with the Packers, the Green Bay Packers. You’re up 21-3. You can’t lose that football game. They’re too good to have that type of second half against Chicago.”
“There were a lot of expectations for them, especially after the Micah Parsons trade. He got injured, which was a big blow to them.”
“But still, you’re winning 21-3. You can’t lose that football game in the playoffs. So I think they’re the most disappointing team.”
“Josh Allen didn’t play well at all against the Broncos. He had a lot riding on that football game, and he has played really well in the playoffs throughout his career.”
“It hadn’t been Josh Allen’s fault when the Bills lost some of these games. It was their defense. But in this one, Josh Allen didn’t perform well.”
“He missed some open receivers, had a couple bad interceptions, and you saw his emotions after the game at the podium. He was shedding tears and very emotional. He didn’t play the game we had been seeing from him in the playoffs.”
Brandon’s AFC, NFC, and Super Bowl Predictions
Q: Alright, who you got for the AFC, the NFC, and the Super Bowl?
“I’m going with Seattle. I think they’re the most complete team in the NFC.”
“And I’m not picking against my Broncos. I’m not going to do it. I know they don’t have their quarterback, but sometimes things just happen.”
“They’re playing at home. If they were in Foxborough, I would probably say New England is going to win that game. But not in Denver. Not here.”
“This is a nightmare for the Patriots. I think they’re 0-4 in the playoffs here. Every time they travel out west, they can’t do it in the playoffs.”
“So give me the Denver Broncos minus Bo Nix.”
“In the Super Bowl it’ll be more difficult on a neutral site, but I think this is the Broncos’ year. I know I’m doing homer radio, but I’m staying with the Denver Broncos.”
“The magic continues. Their backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham leads them to a Super Bowl win.”
“I might look crazy in a week, but that’s what I’m going with.”
Brandon’s point was pretty clear: this Super Bowl race is still wide open. And as Championship Weekend gets closer, the odds are already moving. If you want to see where things sit right now, check our latest Super Bowl odds. And if you’re planning to bet it, our BetMGM bonus code is there too.
