Denver Broncos fans may have envisioned legends like Joe Montana or Tom Brady when imagining a quarterback capable of securing victories in tight games. Instead, the team found an unlikely hero in Bo Nix, a third-year starter who has defied expectations by leading Denver to a remarkable 16 consecutive wins in games decided by a single score or less. This streak, achieved during the current season, breaks a record previously held by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who set the mark during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. According to NBC Sports research, this is the longest such streak in the NFL since 1950, including playoff games.
The latest addition to this historic run came in Week 9, when the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 26 to 21. The game followed a familiar script for Denver, with the team trailing for the first three quarters. Nix struggled to find comfort early on, throwing an interception and committing a fumble that did not result in a turnover. By the end of the third quarter, Carolina led 14 to 13, leaving the outcome in doubt.
As is typical for Nix, the fourth quarter marked a distinct shift in performance. He led two scoring drives to secure the win, including a 26-yard touchdown pass to Pat Bryant with 5:41 remaining that gave Denver a lead they never relinquished. This play marked his 13th career fourth-quarter comeback, a total that matches the career marks of Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Steve Young. Nix finished the game with 237 passing yards and two touchdowns, completing six of his seven third-down attempts for 72 yards.
Head coach Sean Payton expressed mixed emotions about the nature of these victories. He noted that while the streak is impressive, it is somewhat frustrating because several of these games should not have been decided by such a narrow margin. Payton emphasized that the team still has work to do, highlighting the inconsistent offensive play that has characterized the season. This inconsistency led Payton to reclaim play-calling responsibilities last month.
The Broncos' offensive struggles are evident in the statistics. Entering Sunday's game, Denver had been outgained by a total of 658 yards this season, the third-worst figure in the league. The Panthers added to that deficit by outgaining Denver by 41 more yards on Sunday. Despite these underlying issues, the team has managed to escape deficits consistently, relying on Nix's ability to perform under pressure.
Nix entered the season with high expectations after a strong previous year in which he led five fourth-quarter comebacks and seven game-winning drives to help Denver reach the AFC Championship Game, where he missed the final contest due to an ankle injury. However, the early season presented challenges, including a double-digit loss to Kansas City in Week 1.
In mid-October, former NFL quarterback and Amazon analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick criticized Nix's performance after a narrow overtime win over Seattle. Fitzpatrick described the play as meek and stated that Nix was not playing competitively, calling it disrespectful to the position. Nix responded by saying he tries to be extremely aggressive when opportunities arise, and Payton confirmed he never considered benching the quarterback.
The decision to stick with Nix has paid off, as he did not throw an interception for five straight games until Sunday's pick. The Broncos have improved to a 7-2 record with five straight wins. While the team is confident, Nix acknowledges there is room for improvement. The formula for success remains consistent, even if the process is not always pretty, raising questions about whether this resilience will translate to success in the playoffs.
Nix summed up the team's mindset, noting that there is always a look in the huddle indicating that the team has no choice but to make something happen. He highlighted the importance of the second-half touchdowns in securing the latest victory. At 7-2, the Broncos feel confident, but both the player and the coach recognize that the path to a legitimate Super Bowl contention requires further refinement.
