The Denver Broncos are finally within reach of breaking their playoff drought. And the excitement in Broncos Country is palpable. Adding to the buzz is former Broncos legend Ed McCaffrey. Father of 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey just turned up the heat. His words? Simple yet powerful for the Payton-Nix duo.

“Ya gotta believe it can happen before it can happen. Love the mindset! #BroncosCountry.” Ed’s Instagram post came just as the Broncos secured their 9th win. This victory propelled them further into the AFC playoff conversation. With Sean Payton leading the way and rookie Bo Nix looking to step up, McCaffrey’s message couldn’t be timelier. Well, this legendary RB is no stranger to turning belief in success himself.

Ed McCaffrey is a 3-time Super Bowl champion. He knows exactly how a positive mindset can fuel a team. His message on Instagram resonated deeply with fans and players alike. The story featured tight end Adam Trautman, who caught one of Bo Nix’s 3 touchdowns during the 31-13 win over the Colts on Monday.

McCaffrey’s shout-out came as the Broncos embraced resilience after a rocky start to the season. His words align perfectly with the underdog spirit Denver has channeled. Denver’s defense has also been key to the change in fate.

Nick Bonitto scored a defensive touchdown against Indianapolis, marking his 2nd in as many games. 5 takeaways from the Broncos’ defense proved they’re not just dreaming—they’re delivering. Meanwhile, Sean Payton’s leadership is shining through. Payton praised the team’s ability to “flip the script” and control the 2nd half.

McCaffrey’s words seem to capture this exact transformation. Heading into the final weeks of the regular season, the Broncos have momentum—and belief. But can they maintain it?

Sean Payton and Bo Nix: The duo leading Denver’s revival

Behind Denver’s turnaround lies the dynamic duo of Sean Payton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Their partnership hasn’t been without bumps. For example, Nix’s outing against the Colts was a mix of highs and lows. He threw 3 touchdown passes for the 3rd time in the rookie season. However, he also threw 3 interceptions. Marking the first time he had done so in an NFL game. The QB completed 20 of 33 passes for just 130 yards in the game.

It was his 2nd-lowest output of the season. Contributing to a modest 193 total offensive yards for the Broncos. Nix acknowledged the struggles, stating, “Good teams respond to days like [Sunday], playoff teams find a way to win.” He also reflected on his mental challenges, saying, “Not going to lie, it’s tough. You start getting in your head, start questioning… am I actually seeing it?” and added, “I’ve got to be better… regardless that’s 3, you start feeling like every time I throw it, is it going to get picked? You start having those mental thoughts; it’s challenging.” However, Nix has shown flashes of brilliance in the match.

His 15-yard touchdown pass to Nate Adkins swung the momentum of the game. His growing confidence under Payton’s guidance is a promising sign for Broncos fans. The coach, while acknowledging Nix’s struggles, took some responsibility for the offense’s performance.

“I get mad at myself, a couple of the calls I gave him… just one of those nights when weren’t as efficient,” Payton admitted. As the Broncos face key matchups ahead, including a critical game against the Chargers, Nix’s ability to bounce back and avoid costly mistakes will be pivotal. While Payton emphasized post-game that there’s still work to be done.

“We found a way to win,” Payton said. “But we don’t have a lot of time.” This mindset is clearly rubbing off on the team. Players like Patrick Surtain II are stepping up despite injuries, while the defense continues to deliver game-changing plays. With a 9-5 record, the Broncos now have an 89% chance of making the playoffs. Ed McCaffrey’s words of belief couldn’t feel more relevant. As Denver prepares for the Chargers in week 16, fans and players alike are riding high on optimism.