Bo Nix delivered some late-game magic to beat the Chiefs on Christmas night.
The Broncos quarterback led a fourth-quarter scoring drive Thursday to escape Kansas City with a 20-13 road victory. The Broncos (13-3) are now one step closer to winning the AFC West and securing a No. 1 playoff seed.
“Patience is key in a game like that,” Nix told reporters in Kansas City.
It wasn’t always pretty at Arrowhead Stadium for Denver’s offense.
Nix finished the night 26 of 38 passing for 182 yards — plus one interception, two touchdowns (one rushing) and a 76.9 QB rating. Nix threw a tipped-ball pick in the second quarter to linebacker Nick Bolton that set up a Chiefs touchdown drive.
“It doesn’t have to be aesthetically pleasing to be effective,” coach Sean Payton told reporters in Kansas City.
Nix played from behind most of the night. The Broncos trailed, 10-6, early in the third quarter after a 53-yard field goal from Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. Kansas City’s defense limited the effectiveness of Nix utilizing a zone scheme.
“Honestly, it’s the exact opposite of what I thought we were going to get,” Nix told reporters in Kansas City. “I thought they were going to pressure us like crazy. … We got a bunch of two-high (safety) zone the whole game and they put a lid on top of it. They made it tough to find explosive plays. So, you’ve just got to inch your way down the field.”
Nix powered the Denver comeback first using his legs. He rushed for a 9-yard touchdown on what Payton described as a designed quarterback run. The Broncos regained the lead, 13-10, late in the third quarter.
Nix finished with nine carries for 42 yards.
“I felt the lanes to go (run),” Nix told reporters in Kansas City. “I think that played a good role in it. Just a few runs here and there to keep them honest but also move the chains forward.”
The Broncos and Chiefs were tied, 13-13, with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter when Nix led the game-defining drive. It took 14 plays (and 6:18 off the clock) with the Broncos marching 60-plus yards.
Nix rolled out to his right and threw a delayed 1-yard strike to RJ Harvey in the back of the end zone. Harvey’s patience and football instincts impressed teammates.
“It was a very savvy move by him,” Nix said. “You can tell he’s been in my shoes before throwing (as a college quarterback). He knows what it’s like to find space.”
The Broncos will clinch the AFC West on Saturday if the Texans beat the Chargers. Denver will earn the top AFC playoff seed with a victory in Week 18 over the Chargers at Empower Field. Nix is staying focused on what he can control.
“It’s going to be a good nine days of preparation, and then on the 10th day, it’s all you’ve got for four quarters,” Nix told reporters in Kansas City. “We’re excited about it.”