Bo Nix didn’t just show up in the Divisional Round - he took over. With Denver’s run game stuck in neutral once again, the rookie quarterback put the offense on his back and carried the Broncos to a gutsy win over Buffalo. In a game where the ground attack offered little support - against one of the league’s most vulnerable run defenses, no less - Nix became the engine, the fuel, and the driver of Denver’s playoff hopes.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Broncos’ inability to establish anything on the ground is a real issue. It’s been a recurring theme, and yet somehow, they’ve managed to push through to the AFC Championship. That’s largely because of Nix, who played with the poise and command of a veteran far beyond his years.
And now, with Nix sidelined for the remainder of the postseason, the Broncos’ offense will turn to Jarrett Stidham to steer the ship. The hope is that JK Dobbins can return in time to give the ground game a much-needed boost - because if there’s one thing we learned from this last game, it’s that asking your quarterback to do everything is a dangerous way to live in January.
Still, what Nix did in his final game of the season was nothing short of remarkable. Yes, he threw a pick.
But that doesn’t take away from the fact that he was the heartbeat of Denver’s offense. When the run game stalls, the pressure shifts - and Nix didn’t blink.
He embraced it. And the numbers back it up in a big way.
Bo Nix was directly involved in 85% of Denver’s offensive snaps.
Let that sink in. Out of 68 total plays from scrimmage, Nix dropped back or ran it himself on 58 of them.
That’s 46 pass attempts and 12 carries - a workload that screams “franchise quarterback.” It’s the kind of stat you usually associate with the elite: Mahomes, Allen, Lamar.
And on this night, Nix belonged in that conversation.
This wasn’t just a solid performance - it was a defining one. A young quarterback, in a high-stakes playoff environment, taking control of an offense that couldn’t find balance and willing his team to the next round. It’s the type of performance that can reshape the trajectory of a franchise.
And make no mistake, Denver’s front office took notice. This offseason will be about building around Nix - giving him the weapons and support he needs so he doesn’t have to shoulder 85% of the offense every week. But there’s also a silver lining here: when things break down, when the game tilts into chaos, the Broncos know they have a guy who can handle it.
Bo Nix’s season may be over, but the message he sent was loud and clear: he’s not just part of Denver’s future - he is the future.