The Denver Broncos’ 11-game win streak came to a halt in Week 16, and while the 34-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars stung, Bo Nix isn’t letting it shake his confidence. In fact, the rookie-turned-leader is using the setback as fuel.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t the Broncos team we’ve come to expect during their dominant run through the AFC. On both sides of the ball, Denver struggled with consistency, and Jacksonville made them pay. The Jags played with urgency and execution, seizing control early and never letting go-pulling off a statement win on the road.
Nix still showed flashes of what’s made him one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the league. He threw for 352 yards, completing 28 of 47 passes.
But the box score tells a more nuanced story-just one touchdown and one interception. Jacksonville’s defense didn’t shut him down, but they certainly kept him from dictating the game the way he has in recent weeks.
The explosive plays that have become a trademark of this Broncos offense were hard to come by.
After the game, Nix addressed the media with the kind of poise you want to see from your franchise quarterback. He didn’t sugarcoat the loss, but he also didn’t dwell on it.
“Sometimes a loss, especially in this league, gives you a good reality check and puts you back on course,” Nix said Tuesday.
That’s the mindset of a player who understands the long game. The Broncos are still 12-3, still leading the AFC West, and still sitting at the top of the conference.
One loss doesn’t erase the body of work they’ve built this season. It just adds a little perspective-and maybe a bit of edge-as they head into the final stretch.
Nix has been steady all year. Through 15 games, he’s thrown for 3,608 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
He’s also added 265 yards and four scores on the ground. That dual-threat ability has been key to Denver’s success, giving defenses fits and opening up the playbook for the Broncos’ offense.
And while the loss to Jacksonville was a misstep, it doesn’t change the bigger picture. Denver still holds the top seed in the AFC, ahead of the Patriots, Jaguars, and Steelers.
The division race? It’s not even close right now.
The Broncos are comfortably ahead of the Chargers, Chiefs, and Raiders in the AFC West.
Now, all eyes turn to their Christmas Day showdown against Kansas City. It’s a primetime matchup with playoff implications and a chance for Denver to bounce back in a big way. Expect Nix and the Broncos to come out with something to prove.
Because if there’s one thing this team has shown all season, it’s resilience. And with the postseason looming, a little adversity might be just what they needed to sharpen their edge.