'The job isn't finished': Bo Nix entering critical stretch as Broncos push for playoffs

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix is on the verge of entering the most important stretch of his young career.

With three games left in the regular season, the Broncos (9-5) can clinch a playoff spot in Week 16 if they win Thursday night’s AFC West tilt versus the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6).

It'll mark the Broncos’ first playoff berth since Von Miller and Peyton Manning led the franchise on a Super Bowl run in the 2015 season, when Nix was just 15 years old.

“We’ve talked about it all year. The next game is the most important game. Right now, this is what’s important to us,” Nix said. “This next one would put us on track for where we want to go. We have a lot of work to do. The job isn’t finished, so that’s what we’re gonna do.”

In Nix’s first season as starter, he’s already helped lead the Broncos to their first winning season since 2016. It wasn't an easy ascent, though. Nix’s rookie campaign got off to a slow start: He threw no touchdowns to four interceptions in his first three games but he’s since settled in as Denver’s starter.

The Broncos are riding four-game winning streak. Nix tossed three interceptions in last week’s win against the Indianapolis Colts, but head coach Broncos head coach Sean Payton liked the rookie’s resiliency during the game.

“He’s played a lot of games. He knows how to win. He made some big throws for us there that we needed,” Payton told to reporters this week.

Through 14 contests, Nix has thrown for 2,972 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 20 touchdown passes lead all rookie quarterbacks. He’s a candidate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is the frontrunner to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, but Thursday’s primetime game under the national spotlight is the type of occasion that could propel Nix’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidacy.

Most importantly though, Nix and the Broncos have an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth. Denver currently owns the second AFC wild card spot. They are one game in front of the seventh-seeded Chargers. The winner of Thursday’s contest will take sole possession of the sixth seed with only two games remaining.

“We’ve all been on the other side of success. We understand what it’s like to be knocked down. We don’t want to be that again. So we want to continue to do what’s gotten us to this point and what’s allowed us to have success,” Nix said to reporters. “That’s working hard, showing up to practice (and) doing the dirty work, so we can go out there and play a good game.”

Los Angeles held the Broncos scoreless through three quarters and defeated the Broncos Week 6 in Denver. Both teams along with the Philadelphia Eagles allow 17.6 points per game, tied for the best in the NFL.

Thursday’s battle out west could be a low-scoring affair. It certainly has big AFC playoff implications.

“We got a big game Thursday. Another opportunity to step in the right direction and towards where we ultimately want to go. It’s so much more ahead of us. We have to finish the season strong,” Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said this week. “I think coach (Jim) Harbaugh has them playing some really good ball right now. They are taking care of the ball (and) they are taking the ball away.

"That’s the things I feel like these really good playoff teams do… We got to make sure we’re maximizing our opportunities when they do come.”

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Broncos' Bo Nix entering critical stretch as Denver eyes NFL playoffs