Bo Nix was in high school the last time the Denver Broncos qualified for the playoffs.
Should the rookie quarterback snap his team’s two-game losing streak on Sunday against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs (15-1), Denver would clinch the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoffs.
It would be the first playoff berth for the Broncos since they won Super Bowl 50 during the 2015 season.
Nix has thrown for 3,454 yards and completed 65.1 percent of his passes with 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Even though the Miami Dolphins (8-8) and Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) are next in line should the Broncos slip up against the Chiefs, Nix insisted he doesn’t feel any stress.
“I think this lifestyle, the situation as quarterbacks, we live with pressure, it’s second nature at this point,” Nix said. “I believe pressure is a privilege and I was taught that a long time ago.”
Because the Chiefs already wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs with a 29-10 Christmas win at the Pittsburgh Steelers, starting quarterback and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes won’t play.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Carson Wentz will start at quarterback and a number of other starters will sit out or see limited action. The Chiefs want to be well rested as they attempt to become the first team to win a third straight Super Bowl.
Regardless of which players see the field, Denver coach Sean Payton said roster limits mean the Broncos will still be challenged.
“Our focus has got to be on this team in general,” said Payton, whose team lost 16-14 at Kansas City in Week 10. “There will be some different people in different places, I’m sure. But this is not like college. We don’t have a roster of 105 players.”
Competing against the Kansas City defense in practice has prepared Wentz. The Chiefs own the No. 2 scoring defense in the NFL, allowing 18.0 points per game. The Broncos check in fifth at 19.4 points per game.
Denver linebacker Nik Bonitto is tied for fourth in the league with 11.5 sacks and Patrick Surtain II is the top-ranked cornerback by Pro Football Focus.
With just nine snaps this season, Wentz has is 2-of-2 passing for 20 yards. The former Pro Bowl selection’s journey through the league has resulted in a 47-45-1 record as a starter with the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams.
“I want to have fun, play well and have success out there,” Wentz said. “Ultimately, more than anything, let’s get a win, that’s the goal. We know the circumstances and the reason I am playing but I still go out there and expect to win.”
Due to the rest players have received in previous playoff runs, Reid isn’t worried about his team getting rusty in the 23 or 24 days off before the Jan. 18-19 AFC divisional round. He said it was an easy decision, but also added it’s important for the team to “stay sharp in all areas.”
Running back Isiah Pacheco (rib), defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf) and right tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) did not practice on Wednesday for the Chiefs, who opened the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Mecole Hardman. Reid said he “wouldn’t count on him playing Sunday.”
Reserve offensive lineman Frank Crum (illness) did not practice for the Broncos on Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
