Six straight wins, a 7-2 record, and late-game heroics. The Broncos prove their resilience, dominating defensively and finding clutch offense to solidify Super Bowl contention.
The Denver Broncos have done it again. Another late-game comeback saw Denver beat the Houston Texans 18-15. It’s the Broncos’ sixth straight win, bringing their record to 7-2 on the season and retaining their spot atop the AFC West.
In a recent Bleacher Report article from the NFL Staff, the key takeaway for the Broncos in Week 9 is that they are a legit Super Bowl contender.
“Broncos quarterback Bo Nix led Denver on a 61-yard drive that culminated in a game-tying score, Denver's defense put the clamps on the Houston offense, and Denver was once again able to escape with a close victory,” the NFL Staff wrote. “At 7-2, Denver is in the thick of the Super Bowl conversation in the AFC.”
It wasn’t the prettiest win for Denver, just like it has been for much of the season, but the resilience of the Broncos cannot go unnoticed. Week after week, the Broncos get done what they have to get done. When it comes down to the most important moments of the game, the Broncos have proven they shouldn’t be doubted.
Against a top-ranked Houston defense, the Denver offense had its fair share of struggles. Quarterback Bo Nix didn’t have his best game, recording just 173 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He completed 18 of his 37 attempts, bringing his passer rating down to 68.9.
Still, Nix did enough when the biggest moment arrived. In just his second year in the NFL, Nix has found ways to win games that have seemed unwinnable, and that’s a key trait of a quarterback and team you do not want to match up against, especially in the playoffs.
The offensive inconsistencies have been present for most of the season. Stagnant drives followed by free-flowing drives and vice versa. What has been consistent, however, is their resilience. It’s clear that they understand what is needed from them, and they make sure they meet those requirements if nothing else. It’s why they lead the AFC West and are tied for the best record in the NFL.
Denver’s defense was elite just as it has been throughout the first half of the season, holding the Texans to just 268 total yards of offense. The NFL sack leaders added to their total, bringing down Texans quarterbacks C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills four times for a loss of 25 yards. With 40 sacks on the season, Denver sits a full 12 sacks ahead of the second-place Detroit Lions, who have recorded 28 sacks thus far.
The Broncos have the key components of a Super Bowl team. They have an elite, relentless defense that shuts down opposing offenses game after game. Their quarterback, despite not being perfect, has proven time and time again his ability to get a win at any cost. It’s now undeniable: the Broncos are not only a contender in the AFC, but are a legitimate Super Bowl-caliber NFL team.