The Denver Broncos are officially one of the hottest teams in football, riding an 11-game win streak and suddenly staring down the possibility of locking up the AFC’s No. 1 seed. That’s not a typo. After starting the season 1-2 and looking like a team still searching for itself, Denver has flipped the script in a big way-and they’ve done it by leaning into an identity that’s finally starting to click.
Back in September, head coach Sean Payton was openly frustrated with his offense. There was no rhythm, no personality.
The run game wasn’t consistent, and the passing attack looked disjointed. But Payton, never one to sit on his hands, went back to the drawing board-and what’s followed has been a masterclass in midseason adjustments.
At the heart of Denver’s offensive resurgence is a commitment to the ground game. Early in the year, that meant leaning heavily on veteran back J.K.
Dobbins, who was delivering in a big way before a season-ending injury in Week 10. Since then, rookie RJ Harvey has stepped into the starting role.
While Harvey has shown flashes-especially in open space-the run game hasn’t had quite the same punch without Dobbins.
So Payton made a strategic pivot: put rookie quarterback Bo Nix under center more often, not just to stabilize the run game, but to open up the play-action and give Nix cleaner looks downfield. And the results have been eye-opening.
Against a solid Green Bay Packers defense last week, Nix delivered his best performance as a pro: 23-of-34 passing, 302 yards, four touchdowns, no sacks, and a 134.7 passer rating. That’s not just efficient-that’s surgical.
What’s changed? It starts with the fundamentals.
Earlier in the season, Nix’s footwork looked rushed and inconsistent, especially out of the shotgun. But with more snaps under center, his mechanics have tightened up, and the entire offense has benefited.
Over the past four games, Nix has topped 295 passing yards three times-his best stretch of the year. He’s playing with confidence, timing, and command, and it’s no coincidence that those games have coincided with the Broncos’ offensive upswing.
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi pointed out this week that Nix’s footwork has “gotten a lot better,” and the tape backs that up. He’s moving with purpose in the pocket, setting his base, and delivering the ball with precision. That’s exactly what you want to see from a young quarterback heading into the most important stretch of the season.
But this isn’t just about the offense. Denver’s defense has been lights out-one of the most complete units in the league. Whether it’s generating pressure, locking down in the red zone, or coming up with timely takeaways, this group has consistently made life miserable for opposing offenses.
Put it all together, and you’ve got a team that doesn’t just win-they find ways to win. That’s the hallmark of a legitimate contender.
The Broncos are balanced, battle-tested, and playing their best football in December. If Bo Nix keeps this up, and the defense continues to deliver, Denver won’t just be a tough out in the playoffs-they’ll be a real threat to make a deep run.