Back in early October, the Denver Broncos were a team still trying to find their identity. Sitting at 2-2 and trailing the Philadelphia Eagles on the road-a team that, at the time, looked like the class of the NFC-the Broncos didn’t look anything like a squad destined for the AFC’s top seed. But then Bo Nix happened.
That game in Philly turned into the first real glimpse of what Nix could be at the NFL level. The rookie quarterback led a furious fourth-quarter rally, guiding the Broncos to 18 unanswered points and a statement win. For many inside the locker room, that was the moment the switch flipped.
“Looking back,” tight end Evan Engram said, “that was the jump-start for us.”
Since that night, Nix has turned late-game pressure into his personal playground. He’s orchestrated four more fourth-quarter comebacks, and his numbers when trailing aren’t just good-they’re elite.
According to TruMedia, Nix is posting an EPA (expected points added) per dropback of 0.25 in those situations, third-best in the league. Even more impressive?
A 17-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio when playing from behind. That’s not just poise-that’s production under fire.
Now, the Broncos are going to need that same version of Nix again, and maybe more. They’re heading into a playoff showdown with the Buffalo Bills, and this one has all the makings of a heavyweight slugfest.
The kind of game where every possession matters, and one mistake can flip the outcome. In other words, exactly the kind of game where Nix has thrived.
Of course, no team wants to fall behind in the postseason. But if it happens, Denver has reason to believe they’re built to handle it.
They’ve seen Nix deliver in the clutch. They’ve seen him stay calm when things get chaotic.
And his teammates have bought in.
“That’s Bo,” rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant said. “There’s no flinch.”
Still, this is a different kind of challenge. Because on the other sideline is Josh Allen-a quarterback who’s been here before and knows exactly how to navigate the playoff gauntlet.
Allen has eight postseason wins under his belt and has accounted for 35 total touchdowns in the playoffs since 2020. That’s second only to Patrick Mahomes over that span.
Allen’s most recent playoff performance? A game-winning drive against the Jaguars that showcased both his arm and his legs.
He dropped a 37-yard dime to Brandin Cooks, then bulldozed his way to a 10-yard gain on fourth-and-1 to set up his own touchdown. That’s vintage Josh Allen-aggressive, fearless, and capable of taking over a game at any moment.
As Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph put it, Allen is the kind of quarterback who can “wreck your dreams.”
But Bo Nix has been making dreams come true in Denver all season. And now, with the stakes higher than ever, he gets a shot to go toe-to-toe with one of the league’s most dangerous postseason quarterbacks.
If this game turns into a shootout, buckle up. Because Nix has already proven he can handle the moment. Now it’s time to see if he can own it.