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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix plays the game for situations like this. The Broncos won 10 games and made the playoffs last season, but they were 3-3 in the AFC West. Their three wins came against a resting Kansas City Chiefs team in Week 18 and a sweep of the Las Vegas Raiders, their Week 10 opponent. For Nix, this is an opportunity to deliver in one of the most significant situations in sports, let alone the NFL. Bo Nix: Beating Raiders, AFC Rivals ‘Why You’re a Bronco’ Nix has embraced his leadership role this season, even after making a strong impression in that regard as a rookie in 2024, when the Broncos selected him with the No. 12 overall pick. The last of six QBs taken in the first round, he has the best record among the group, per Stathead. Fittingly, Nix is not taking the Broncos’ showdown against the Raiders on “Thursday Night Football” lightly, despite his opponent’s 2-6 record through nine weeks. Asked what these divisional matchups mean in the grand scheme, Nix was frank. “To us, first, we got to win them. These are the ones that have the most weight to them. These are the ones that you got to go in there and win to set yourself up for the playoffs. And um so, as a team, these are the most important for us. And then, obviously, organization, and city, and fans, … been playing these teams for a long time. So, a lot of rivalries,” Nix told reporters after practice on November 4. “These are the fun ones. It’s like playing a conference game in college. These are the ones that you look forward to. These are why you’re a Bronco: to beat teams like this. But just like all the other ones, it’s not going to be easy. We’re going to have to play really good, and it’ll be a fun ‘Thursday Night Football’ environment.” Nix and the Broncos boast a 7-2 record, tied with draft classmate Drake Maye and the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts for the best in the NFL. That is a two-win improvement over last season through as many games for Nix and Co. Bo Nix: 4Q Prowess Good, Not Goal Nix has taken his fair share of arrows this season about his performance, but his prowess in the fourth quarter has drawn attention and helped the Broncos hit their current mark. Asked about their struggles through the first three quarters, Nix was unapologetic. Nix joked that facing the Houston Texans and their top-ranked defense would help, noting that “it’s not easy” and that they have “found ways at times.” He also said the “good thing” is they have “fooled” onlookers into “believing that’s easy.” “We always want to score, every drive. That’s, point blank period, that’s our goal. Sometimes we fall short of that goal, and we have to rely on the next drive and go score the next drive. But I think at times we execute better than others,” Nix said. “Then, we just got to find a way to execute all of them like they’re the most important thing ever. We’re always really close. And so, that’s the good thing.”
