Bo Nix Is Turning Heads - And the Broncos Are Winning Because of It
It’s not just a hot streak anymore. With every passing week, Bo Nix is looking less like a rookie still finding his footing and more like the driving force behind one of the NFL’s most compelling turnarounds. The Denver Broncos are 10-2, riding a nine-game winning streak, and suddenly, they're not just in the playoff picture - they're staring down a top-2 seed in the AFC.
That’s right. A team that finished 8-9 last season has already matched that win total and then some, and the guy under center is a big reason why.
The Bo Nix Effect
Since the start of the 2024 season - the beginning of the “Nix era” in Denver - the Broncos are 20-9. That’s not a fluke.
That’s a quarterback making plays, growing in real time, and delivering when it matters most. And while some skeptics still question whether Nix is being carried by a stout defense, the results - and the moments - say otherwise.
The Broncos' defense has been excellent, no doubt. But it’s Nix who’s been closing games.
It’s Nix who’s been answering the bell in pressure-packed situations. And it’s Nix who had to deliver again in Week 13, leading Denver to an overtime win against Washington on Sunday Night Football.
That performance came just hours after Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy offered some eye-opening praise.
Dungy’s Take: “They’re the Best Team in the AFC Right Now”
Ahead of Sunday night’s matchup, Dungy didn’t hold back. “They’re the best team in the AFC right now,” he said on the broadcast. “Outstanding defense and they’re clutch on offense.”
But it was what he said next that really turned heads.
“The defense feels like all they have to do is keep it close and Bo Nix will win it for us,” Dungy explained. “They used to say that about Patrick Mahomes.”
That’s not a throwaway line. That’s a Super Bowl-winning coach - someone who’s seen elite quarterback play up close - comparing Nix’s poise and clutch factor to one of the most dominant QBs of this generation.
Dungy isn’t saying Nix is Mahomes. But he’s pointing out something that’s hard to teach: the belief a team has when their quarterback has the ball late in games. And right now, Denver believes.
Still Growing, Still Delivering
Here’s the thing: Bo Nix is still early in his NFL journey. He hasn’t even hit 30 career regular season starts.
Most quarterbacks don’t really hit their stride until Year 3 or 4. And yet, here he is, orchestrating game-winning drives and helping his team stack wins in one of the league’s toughest conferences.
That’s not just promising - it’s rare.
There’s still room for growth, of course. Nix is learning on the fly, and the Broncos’ offense isn’t blowing teams out of the water.
But they’re efficient, they’re resilient, and they’re executing when it counts. That’s the hallmark of a team with staying power.
The AFC West and Beyond
With a few more wins, Denver is likely to lock up its first AFC West title since 2015 - the same year they last made a serious run at the Lombardi Trophy. And in a year where the AFC doesn’t have a clear-cut juggernaut, the door is wide open.
The Patriots may be 11-2, but Denver is right there with them, and the Broncos have the kind of formula that travels well in December and January: a tough defense, a quarterback who protects the football, and a team that believes it can win close games.
So, what’s stopping the Broncos from making a deep playoff run - or even more?
Right now, not much.
Bo Nix is still writing his NFL story. But if the first chapters are any indication, Denver’s got something real. And the rest of the league is starting to take notice.