As of Thursday morning, the 11-2 Denver Broncos found themselves in an unusual spot-underdogs at home. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Denver is a 2.5-point dog heading into Sunday’s matchup against the 9-3-1 Green Bay Packers.
On paper, it’s a curious line. The Broncos are tied for the best record in the AFC, undefeated at home, and riding one of the league’s most balanced stretches of football.
Yet the oddsmakers are siding with the visiting Packers.
Bo Nix? He’s not losing sleep over it.
"I don't really care," the rookie quarterback said when asked about the betting line. "My mom thinks we'll win. So that's all that matters."
That’s classic Bo-cool, confident, and focused on what’s in front of him. And what’s in front of him is a game that feels a whole lot like January football.
"This is going to feel like a playoff game," Nix added. "It’s pretty much going to be like playoff football."
He’s not wrong. The stakes are rising fast in Denver.
At 11-2, the Broncos are neck-and-neck with the New England Patriots for the top seed in the AFC. The Patriots, interestingly enough, are also underdogs this week at home against a 9-4 Buffalo team.
So it’s not just Denver feeling the Vegas shade.
But back to the Broncos-because they’ve earned the spotlight.
They’re leading the AFC West, with the 9-4 Chargers breathing down their necks and a Week 18 showdown looming in Denver. The Chiefs, sitting at 6-7, can’t catch them before the end of the regular season, so the division is shaping up to be a two-team race.
And while the players are staying locked in, head coach Sean Payton is calling on Broncos Country to bring the noise.
"We know we're playing a good football team," Payton said Wednesday. "That's something we have no control over … we're counting on our crowd this week, not just at the line of scrimmage, but in the huddle."
That’s a pointed ask. Payton knows how much of a difference Empower Field can make when it’s rocking.
If the Broncos are going to lock up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, it starts with protecting their turf. And against a Green Bay team that’s been quietly surging, every edge matters.
The Broncos-Packers game kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, after the Patriots-Bills matchup wraps up. Depending on how that one goes, Denver could take the field knowing exactly what’s at stake in the race for the No. 1 seed.
But don’t expect Bo Nix to be scoreboard-watching. He’s got playoff football on his mind-and, apparently, mom’s stamp of approval in his back pocket.