Denver Broncos fans had waited nine years for a playoff berth. The team wasn’t going to keep them in doubt very long on Sunday.
The Broncos needed a win over the Kansas City Chiefs to clinch the team’s first playoff berth since Peyton Manning played his final career game in Super Bowl 50. That came at the end of the 2015 season, and it has taken the Broncos that long to figure out their quarterback situation.
That seems settled. Rookie first-round pick Bo Nix threw two touchdowns in the first 10:07 of Sunday’s game to give the Broncos a quick 14-0 lead, calming nerves of anyone worried that the Chiefs’ backups would rise up and ruin their playoff dreams. Nix went on to have a huge day, throwing for 321 yards and four touchdowns, and the Broncos demolished a disinterested Chiefs team that had already clinched the No. 1 seed and was resting starters. With the 38-0 win, the Broncos will be facing the Buffalo Bills in wild-card weekend.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins entered Sunday’s late games still alive in the playoff hunt, but needed a Broncos loss to get in. There wasn’t much suspense.
Broncos open up a big lead early
If there was any doubt about how the Broncos’ day would go, it became clear on a ridiculous touchdown by Devaughn Vele in the second quarter.
Bo Nix rolled out and threw to tight end Adam Trautman in the back of the end zone. The ball was tipped once, twice, three times and then Vele grabbed it just before it hit the ground for one of the most unlikely touchdowns of the season.
That was Nix’s 17th straight completion to start the game. At that point the score was 21-0 and it was clear that the Broncos were going to the playoffs.
The Broncos led 24-0 at halftime. They outgained Kansas City 313-55 before halftime. Nix went past the 300-yard mark late in the third quarter, on Marvin Mims Jr.’s second touchdown of the game that gave Denver a 31-0 lead.
The Chiefs clearly didn’t care too much about spoiling the Broncos’ playoff hopes. The party in Colorado started not too long after kickoff.
Broncos are one of NFL’s surprises
The Broncos weren’t expected to break their playoff drought this season, with a rookie quarterback and a roster that seemed to have some flaws.
The first big development in their season was Nix. He was the sixth quarterback selected in the draft, 12th overall, but played like a future star most of the season. He was sharp again on Sunday as the Broncos clinched. He and Sean Payton should be a good tandem for years to come.
The defense was also a big factor. Patrick Surtain II was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year favorite going into Week 18 and has had a stellar season. Denver’s pass rush led by lineman Zach Allen, a Pro Bowl snub, has been one of the best in the NFL. The Broncos didn’t have to face Patrick Mahomes on Sunday, but they totally shut down Carson Wentz.
The challenge will be a lot tougher next week against Josh Allen and the Bills. But for a moment, the Broncos can celebrate just making the playoffs. It has been a while.