The AFC Championship Game featuring the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots turned into a defensive battle, but the Patriots suffered a significant setback when linebacker Robert Spillane sustained an injury.
CBS was compelled to transition to a commercial break after Spillane went down on the field during the game on Sunday at Mile High Stadium, where the top-seeded Broncos faced off against the Patriots for a chance to compete in Super Bowl LX. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham was at the helm for Denver, while Bo Nix was unexpectedly sidelined due to a season-ending ankle injury.
Viewers noticed that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was “intentionally muted” during the pre-game show. As Spillane lay in visible discomfort on the turf, CBS opted to cut away for commercial. This injury was particularly damaging for the Patriots, as it occurred with 3:37 left in the first quarter during a short run play, leaving Spillane on the ground.
Although he was able to walk off the field unaided, the 30-year-old linebacker was soon seen entering the blue medical tent for further evaluation, ultimately heading to the locker room and exiting the game. CBS analyst Tony Romo remarked, “They need him. This is big,” emphasizing the impact of Spillane”s absence.
Spillane, a team captain, has become a vital communicator on the Patriots” defensive unit. He signed a three-year, $33 million free agency deal with New England in March, attracted by the opportunity to play under head coach Mike Vrabel. He quickly established himself as a crucial component of the defense, showcasing his ability to play all three downs and his leadership skills.
This season, Spillane was recognized as New England”s top linebacker, participating in 95.4 percent of the defensive snaps over the first 13 games. However, he had previously dealt with a foot injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season after the Week 15 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. After returning for the playoffs, he recorded 12 tackles and two important pass breakups against the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans, making his absence in the current game even more pronounced.
With Spillane out, backup Jack Gibbens stepped into the role of on-field signal caller for the Patriots” defense. Gibbens had filled this role during Spillane”s earlier absence this season. Despite this setback, the Patriots” defense had been performing admirably and seemed poised to capitalize on an opportunity for a touchdown.
As the first half approached its conclusion, with 3:11 remaining and facing a third-and-4 situation, Stidham was pressured and appeared to lose control of the football. The ball rolled toward the sideline, where linebacker Elijah Ponder picked it up and dashed into the end zone untouched for what seemed to be a defensive touchdown. However, the play was blown dead as officials initially ruled it an incomplete pass due to intentional grounding. After further review, the call was overturned, and it was determined that a fumble had occurred, allowing New England to recover the ball and score, leveling the game at 7-7 as the teams headed into halftime.
