Bo Nix Shines Again as Broncos Clinch Playoff Spot, Ducks Quarterbacks Dominate NFL Sunday
Bo Nix is making winning look routine in Denver-and he’s doing it with a calm command that belies his NFL experience. With the Broncos trailing late in the third quarter, Nix stepped up under pressure on a 2nd-and-15 from the Green Bay 23-yard line.
What came next was a familiar sight for Oregon fans: a laser over the middle to Troy Franklin, who hauled it in for a go-ahead touchdown. That connection, straight out of Eugene, put Denver up 27-23 and capped Nix’s fourth touchdown pass of the day-each one to a different receiver.
Denver didn't look back. A methodical 65-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter sealed the win, pushing the Broncos to 12-2 on the season. That’s not just a playoff ticket-it’s a potential fast track to the AFC’s top seed, nudging them ahead of the Patriots in the standings.
For Nix, the numbers tell part of the story: 23-of-34 passing, 302 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions. It ties his career high for touchdown passes in a game and marks his 11th straight win as a starter. He now has 22 victories in his first two NFL seasons-putting him in elite company alongside Andrew Luck, Dak Prescott, and Ben Roethlisberger for the second-most wins to start a career.
And if that touchdown to Franklin felt familiar, it should. The duo connected countless times at Oregon, and now they’re doing it on Sundays. The Ducks’ pipeline to NFL quarterback success was on full display this weekend.
Ducks Under Center: Herbert, Mariota, Shough Join the Party
Bo Nix wasn’t the only former Duck lighting it up. Justin Herbert played spoiler in a big way, leading the Chargers to a 16-13 win over the Chiefs that officially knocked Kansas City out of the playoff picture. It was a gritty, defensive battle, and Herbert made the plays when it mattered most.
Marcus Mariota, stepping in for the Commanders, turned back the clock with a strong showing in a 29-21 win over the Giants. He threw for 211 yards and a touchdown, showing poise and mobility that Washington leaned on throughout the game.
And in New Orleans, Tyler Shough added his name to the list of Oregon quarterbacks making an impact. The former Ducks starter threw for 272 yards in a 20-17 win over the Panthers, helping the Saints stay in the thick of the NFC playoff race.
Rough Day in Cleveland: Shedeur Sanders Struggles in Blowout Loss
It wasn’t all highlights for young quarterbacks. In Cleveland, rookie Shedeur Sanders had a game to forget.
With Dillon Gabriel inactive, Sanders got the start-but the Bears’ defense made life miserable. He was sacked five times, threw three interceptions, and finished 18-of-35 for 177 yards in a 31-3 loss.
One play in particular summed up the day: on 4th and Goal, Sanders held the ball for nearly eight seconds, only to take a sack with an open receiver in his line of sight. It was a moment that raised eyebrows-and likely questions in the Browns’ coaching room.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has named Sanders the starter for the rest of the season, but with performances like this, the leash may not be as long as it once seemed.
Takeaway
Bo Nix is no longer just a promising young quarterback-he’s a proven winner. And he’s not alone.
Oregon’s quarterback legacy is alive and well in the NFL, with multiple former Ducks leading their teams to key victories in December. As the playoff picture sharpens, don’t be surprised if these names keep showing up in big moments.
The Ducks aren’t just flying-they’re soaring.