AFC West Update: Bo Nix’s Growth, Chargers’ Blueprint vs. Mahomes, and Pete Carroll’s Vegas Challenge
Broncos: Bo Nix’s Development Hits the Early Miles
Sean Payton isn’t one to throw out empty comparisons, so when the Broncos head coach likened Bo Nix’s rookie development to running a half-marathon, it was worth listening closely. The analogy? Nix is at mile marker four - still early, still learning, but already showing signs of the kind of quarterback who could go the distance.
Payton recalled his own half-marathon experience during his 2012 suspension - bands at every mile, Gatorade flowing, and the infamous energy “goo” at mile nine. For Nix, those later-mile boosts are still ahead. But what’s clear is that the rookie’s passion for the game is already energizing the locker room.
“He loves playing,” Payton said. “It’s contagious.”
That kind of infectious energy matters, especially at quarterback - a position where demeanor can ripple through an entire team. Payton, who spent 15 years coaching a very different personality under center, is still learning Nix’s rhythms.
But what he’s seeing is a competitor who smiles through adversity and embraces the grind.
There’s no sugarcoating it - Nix is still in the early stages of his NFL journey. But Payton’s comments suggest the foundation is being laid, and the quarterback’s mindset is already earning respect inside the building.
Meanwhile, on the injury front, safety Brandon Jones is seeking second opinions on a pectoral injury that could potentially end his season. The hope is to avoid surgery, but the situation remains fluid.
Chargers: How L.A. Schemed to Beat the Chiefs
If you’re going to beat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, you better come in with a plan - and the Chargers did just that. Linebacker Daiyan Henley gave credit where it was due, pointing to defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and the coaching staff for crafting a game plan specifically designed to challenge Kansas City’s decade-long dominance of the division.
“Jesse gave us a huge speech about how this team was built to beat the Chiefs,” Henley said. “They’ve had a decade of running this division.”
The message wasn’t just motivational - it was tactical. The Chargers keyed in on two things: the Chiefs’ tendency to go five-wide, with the running back releasing into the pass game, and Mahomes’ signature ability to turn broken plays into backbreaking gains.
Henley broke it down like a coach on the field: “We know that it’s a lot of five out for them - the running back is going to be involved in the pass game, especially in the red zone. And when Mahomes is on the run, he always has a second play.”
That second play - the one Mahomes creates after the pocket breaks down - is where defenses often get burned. For Henley, it was about staying disciplined, locking onto the back, and not letting the second act become the game-changer.
“It’s not about the first play; it’s about winning the second play with Mahomes,” he said.
That kind of insight shows why the Chargers defense looked more prepared than most against Kansas City. It wasn’t just about athleticism - it was about anticipation and execution.
Raiders: Pete Carroll Preaches Patience in Vegas
Pete Carroll isn’t panicking. Despite a rocky start to his tenure in Las Vegas, the veteran head coach made it clear he’s not coaching like a man on the hot seat.
“No, I don’t feel like that at all. I really don’t,” Carroll said when asked if he felt pressure about his job status. “I’m well beyond that.”
Carroll came into the job expecting a quick turnaround. That hasn’t materialized. And while the results have been frustrating, he’s not shying away from the challenge.
“We need to keep working to get better - and that’s in all areas, all aspects of what we’re doing,” Carroll said. “I came in here thinking that we were going to turn it right away. I anticipated doing that, and that’s not what’s taken place, unfortunately.”
The frustration is palpable - not just from the fan base, but within the building. Carroll acknowledged that sense of isolation that can come with losing, even as a leader: “Sometimes you feel like you’re the only one feeling it.”
But he’s not backing down. Carroll made it clear he sees this as just the beginning of the rebuild process and hopes to get the chance to see it through.
“We’re just getting started,” he said.
Whether he gets the time to finish what he’s started remains to be seen. But if nothing else, Carroll’s resolve hasn’t wavered.
Final Word
In the AFC West, growth, game plans, and grit are the themes of the week. Bo Nix is learning mile by mile, the Chargers are showing what preparation looks like against a juggernaut, and Pete Carroll is staying the course through turbulence in Vegas.
December football isn’t just about standings - it’s about identity. And across the division, teams are still figuring out exactly who they are.