Bo Nix just played the best game of his career

Coming into Sunday’s game vs. the Green Bay Packers, many were calling it a potential Super Bowl preview. The Denver Broncos have won 10 straight games, while the Green Bay Packers came into this game hot and looked poised to take control of the NFC. On top of that, both teams had a lot on the line when it came to playoff implications and really could not afford to lose this game if they wanted to reach their ultimate goal.

The atmosphere felt like a postseason game. The crowd was loud, and even though it was a home game for the Broncos, the Packers fans who travel well made their presence known throughout the game. This was a big moment, and you often see the moment become too big for players, and they crumble in these big games.

That was not the case for Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.

The Broncos’ second-year quarterback thrived under the pressure, and despite going against a very good Green Bay Packers defense, he elevated his game to a level we have yet to see from him.

We have seen flashes of this from Bo Nix, usually in the 4th quarter when he leads a comeback, but never during an entire game against a top-tier opponent. Sure, we saw big games against dreadful defenses like the Bengals and Cowboys, but this was different. He also had to go toe-to-toe with Jordan Love, who was slicing and dicing the Broncos secondary in the first half.

This was different.

Bo Nix finished the game going 23 for 34 for 302 yards and 4 touchdowns. Two of these touchdowns were to practice squad player Michael Bandy, who caught his first career touchdown and blocking specialist Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who caught his first touchdown of the season for the Broncos.

Nix also had multiple highlight reel plays. The sideline pass to Troy Franklin had me channeling my inner Cris Collinsworth (Now here’s a guy…), the touch pass dime to Franklin in the end zone, that Sutton touchdown, avoiding the rush and hitting Lil’Jordan for a big gain, and so on. He was using his legs, extending plays, finding the open man, and making damn good throws.

Remember when Nix couldn’t hit the deep ball early in the year? That’s not the case anymore. That touch pass to Sutton for a 48-yard gain was a thing of beauty. He also had another late in the game to Sutton on a big 4th down.

After the game, Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton also praised Nix’s play and referenced how he made countless big plays throughout the game.

“That’s a really impressive rush front, and to come out of that game with no sacks, I thought we did a good job. We had a good protection plan. He really made some plays with his feet, and he made some plays up in the pocket. Third-and-long to Troy on a touch. I mean, there are so many different plays to reference, Courtland, all of them. Then, as guys playing this offense, if he moves left or if he moves right, they adjust and become an open target for him. All three phases, it was a good win.”

The moment is never too big for Bo Nix. He is a wizard in the 4th quarter and has led multiple 4th quarter/OT comebacks. He has dethroned the Chiefs as the kings of the AFC West, and simply plays his best in big games, as we saw on Sunday vs. the Packers. These are the traits that most successful and Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks have, and if Nix continues to play like this, the Broncos can and will be serious Super Bowl contenders.

Bo Nix unlocked a new version of himself on Sunday, and hopefully, we see more of that guy moving forward.