DENVER — The Denver Broncos have been navigating a challenging season, particularly for rookie quarterback Bo Nix. However, the outlook has considerably improved as the season has progressed.
Nix, who has been accumulating weekly accolades and shattering franchise records, is proving to be pivotal for the team as they aim to break a lengthy playoff drought. Currently sitting at an 8-5 record, the Broncos are positioned in the seventh and final playoff slot in the AFC. The timing of their bye week is fortuitous, offering an opportunity for recovery and preparation as they strive to reach the postseason for the first time since their Super Bowl 50 victory at the end of the 2015 season.
Despite the timing being somewhat inconvenient due to their current momentum—having secured three consecutive wins—Nix sees the break as a critical moment. He noted, “A good week of rest, good week of just kind of (getting) a reset. We’re going for a playoff spot. We’re going for longer in the season. So it’s going to be good for us.” The Broncos, according to NFL statistics, possess a 77% chance of making the playoffs. However, their immediate focus will be on a crucial home matchup against Indianapolis, a team that is right on their tail with a 6-7 record.
Nix began the season with challenges, finding himself in a 0-2 hole, which included a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were then utilizing Justin Fields as their quarterback due to Russell Wilson’s injury. It wasn’t until Week 4 that Nix threw his first touchdown pass. A change in momentum occurred following a sharp exchange on the sideline with Head Coach Sean Payton during a win over Las Vegas, which seemed to strengthen their bond. Nix shared, “He turned and looked at me and said, ‘I love you,’ and I turned to him and said, ‘I love you back.’” Nix, who was the 12th overall pick in this year’s draft, has shown significant growth since.
Payton likened Nix to Ferris Bueller, the iconic movie character known for his playful demeanor. As the competition for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year intensifies, Nix is closing the gap, standing right behind Washington’s favored Jayden Daniels, according to BetMGM.
One of Nix’s standout moments this season occurred during a 41-32 victory against Cleveland, when he completed a breathtaking 93-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Mims Jr. Nix, nearly four yards deep in his own end zone on a third-and-11, launched a precise 46-yard pass between defenders to find Mims in stride, showcasing his growing skill set.
While Nix has shone, the defense has also played a crucial role in the team’s success. Linebacker Nik Bonitto has made headlines with 11 sacks this season, becoming the first Broncos player to achieve double-digit sacks since the 2018 season with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Additionally, cornerback Pat Surtain II was recently recognized as the AFC Defensive Player of the Month, a title last held by Hall of Famer Champ Bailey in October 2006.
However, after the match against the Browns, Payton expressed his dissatisfaction with the defense’s performance, primarily highlighting that Jameis Winston threw for a Browns-record 497 yards and that former Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy had a career-high 235 yards receiving against them. Despite overcoming these challenges, the defense still managed to secure three interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns. “We are going to look at a lot of things defensively that we would have done differently,” Payton said. The Broncos will face the Colts at home before embarking on a challenging road trip against the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati, ultimately returning home to clash with Kansas City.
In roster news, the Broncos have released veteran receiver Josh Reynolds, who had been on injured reserve following a finger injury in Week 5. This move suggests the organization’s confidence in its young receiving group, which features Mims, Devaughn Vele, and Troy Franklin, alongside veteran Courtland Sutton. Sutton, who has accumulated 846 receiving yards this season, is on track to achieve another 1,000-yard season, having previously totaled 1,112 yards in 2019.
Sutton remarked on the team’s current mindset, stating, “We’re a confident bunch right now. We’re playing aggressively. We’re playing together. We’re playing with a little bit of confidence and a chip on our shoulder. (We are) just trying to continue to prove not only to other people, but to ourselves that we have a really good football team.”
