The Denver Broncos have a chance to win the playoffs on Sunday with a victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. After the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night, Denver’s game against the Chiefs became a must-win game.
The Broncos are trying to qualify for the playoffs with a rookie in quarterback Bo Nix, the former Oregon Ducks passer. Denver currently holds the final spot in the AFC Wild Card race, but a loss to the Chiefs would give the Bengals the No. 7 seed while the Broncos would miss the playoffs entirely. Can Nix make the playoffs in his rookie season?
Kansas City has already clinched first place and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and the Chiefs have made it clear they will rest key starters like quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce , defensive tackle Chris Jones and others listing them. has doubts for the Broncos game.
While some players like Mahomes and Jones have official injury designations, others like Kelce are simply listed as NIR, meaning “not injury related.” Denver needs a win to make the playoffs, but the Broncos are resting star defensive lineman Zach Allen, according to the team’s injury report.
Before Saturday, the Broncos could have sneaked into the playoffs with losses to the Bengals and Miami Dolphins. However, the Miami game is no longer relevant to Denver fans after Cincinnati took care of business against Pittsburgh.
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The only way out for Cincinnati in the playoffs is a Denver loss. Quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals gave themselves a chance by beating the Steelers, but they still need help from the Chiefs.
At one point this season, Nix began to work his way into the conversation for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, but Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to have slipped away with the price. Led by Daniels, the Commanders are 11-5 and clinched a playoff spot on the NFC side heading into the final week of the regular season.
Many criticized the Broncos and Denver coach Sean Payton for selecting Nix 12th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the former Oregon Duck and his coach have already reached levels some never expected not.
Making the playoffs with a rookie quarterback would certainly seem ahead of schedule for most Broncos fans. If Denver secures seventh place with a win over Kansas City, the Broncos will face the Buffalo Bills on the road in the first round of the playoffs.
The Chiefs and Broncos begin Week 18 on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT.
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