Sean Payton made it clear after Denver’s Week 7 win that there was never any real doubt inside the Broncos building about Bo Nix.
The Broncos knocked off the Arizona Cardinals to move to 5-2 and stretch their winning streak to three games. With two games left before the Week 10 bye - a home meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs and a road trip to the Carolina Panthers - Denver is in position to keep rolling. The Chiefs game stands out immediately, especially with the Broncos having beaten Kansas City at home three straight years.
That kind of matchup only matters if Denver has the quarterback to handle it, and Payton’s postgame comments said plenty about where the team stands on Nix. The head coach said the belief in his young passer never wavered.
“The confidence inside the building relative to his abilities hadn't changed at all... sometimes you're answering questions about whether or not... there's not one time where we were... he's our guy, and it was good to see him play well..."
Payton’s answer had his usual stop-and-start rhythm, but the message came through loud and clear: Nix is the guy.
And while he’s not perfect - far from it - that’s hardly a unique problem at quarterback. Nix has won since entering the league, and through seven games this season, he and the Broncos are on pace for their third 10-plus-win season in as many years. At this point, it would be a surprise if Denver didn’t reach the playoffs.
A lot of that momentum traces back to when Nix entered the picture in 2024. The numbers through the first seven games this season haven’t been dazzling, but the bigger impact has been cultural. He’s helped bring in a new standard of winning, something the Broncos simply didn’t have before.
In Other News...
Colorados First Big 12 Win May Hinge On One Kansas State Decision
Kansas States quarterback situation could end up shaping Colorados best chance at a first Big 12 win. Avery Johnson has been the Wildcats engine on both sides of the ball in the sense that he leads the team in passing and rushing, and Colorados defense knows the assignment is as much about containment as anything else. The Buffaloes want to keep him in the pocket and make the game about structure, not improv, because when Johnson is moving freely, Kansas States offense tends to travel with him.
The uncertainty only deepens because Kansas State already has other quarterback injury issues, leaving the Wildcats to sort out how much they can ask of Johnson even if hes available. He missed last weeks game against Arizona State, and his status for this matchup remains unclear, which matters a lot for a Colorado team still looking for that first Big 12 breakthrough. If he does suit up, the questions shift from whether he can go to how aggressive Kansas State will let him be, and that may be the biggest variable of the game. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Has The Edge But Colorado Still Brings One Real Threat
Colorado heads into its Oct. 31 matchup with Kansas State carrying a five-game losing streak and the lowest Football Power Index rating in the Big 12, which is hardly the kind of backdrop any team wants this late in the season. The gap in the numbers is real, too, with Kansas State sitting in a much stronger position in the league pecking order and with a clearer path toward bowl eligibility as the schedule winds down.
Still, Colorado does have one area that can keep the game interesting if it can find a way to lean into it. The Wildcats have the more complete profile, but the Buffaloes will be looking for any edge they can create against a Kansas State attack that runs through quarterback Avery Johnson and a backfield featuring Rodney Fields and Joe Jackson. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Fans Just Got A More Affordable Path Into Folsom Field
Colorados next Big 12 home date brings Kansas State to Folsom Field, and the matchup is drawing a range of ticket options for fans trying to get in the building. Official prices start at $88, while several secondary-market listings are showing seats at different points around the stadium depending on location and seller, giving buyers a few ways to approach the game.
For fans looking for more than a standard seat, there are also premium game-day experiences available at higher prices, including add-ons tied to the south end zone and sideline access. As always with live-event tickets, the final checkout total can vary more than the initial listing suggests, so it pays to compare platforms before committing. [Read more 🡒]