The Week 15 showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos is shaping up to be more than just a late-season clash-it’s a battle between two division leaders eyeing playoff runs, and it’s going down in one of the toughest places to play in the NFL: Denver.
The Broncos are riding an impressive 11-game home win streak, and yet, they’re entering this one as underdogs. That’s raised some eyebrows, but if you ask anyone in the Denver locker room, they’re not losing sleep over it. In fact, they’re leaning into the doubt with a bit of swagger.
Bo Nix, the Broncos’ rookie quarterback who’s been growing into the role week by week, was asked about the team being overlooked by oddsmakers. His response?
Classic Nix-short, confident, and with a touch of humor:
**“I don’t really care.
My mom thinks we’ll win, so that’s all that matters.” **
That kind of quiet confidence has been a theme around this team, and it starts at the top. Head coach Sean Payton, who’s no stranger to big games and big moments, brushed off the underdog label with the calm of a coach who’s seen it all.
“I don’t really pay attention to (odds),” Payton said. “We know we’re playing a good football team… We have four tough opponents the next four weeks, three of the four of them are at home.”
Translation: The Broncos are locked in on what they can control-execution, preparation, and protecting their home turf.
And when it comes to home-field advantage, Payton is calling on Broncos Country to bring the noise-not just when the Packers line up, but from the moment they break the huddle.
“We’re counting on our crowd this week, not just at the line of scrimmage, but while they’re in the huddle,” Payton said. **“That communication that exists from the opponent when they’re in the huddle-you’d be surprised… it all gets blurry.
You have problems.” **
He pointed to the team’s last home game against the Chiefs as a prime example of how disruptive a fired-up Mile High crowd can be. That game saw Denver frustrate one of the league’s most potent offenses, and Payton is hoping for an even more raucous atmosphere this time around.
Make no mistake-this is a statement game. The Packers bring postseason pedigree and a balanced attack. But the Broncos, behind a young quarterback finding his rhythm, a veteran coach with a vision, and a fanbase that knows how to make life miserable for visiting teams, are ready for the moment.
Week 15 in Denver isn’t just another game-it’s a litmus test for how real this Broncos team is. And if Bo Nix’s mom is right, it might be time for the rest of the league to start believing, too.