Bo Nix and Co, aka the Bronocs, have been riding the NFL’s wildest rollercoaster this season, but Week 16 threw them straight into a black hole. A 34-27 loss to the Chargers turned their playoff hopes into a survival battle. With just two games left and everything on the line, the question isn’t just if Denver can make the playoffs. It’s whether they can handle the pressure when it matters most.

The Broncos are sitting at 9-6 with a 76% chance of making the playoffs, but it’s not going to be a walk in the park. They’ve got to win at least one of their last two games to make it. If they beat the Bengals in Week 17, they’re basically in, which would take the pressure off that must-win game against the Chiefs who’ve been scoring like crazy this December. But if they lose to Cincinnati, they will need the Steelers or Dolphins to mess up to keep their hopes alive.

The Broncos’ offense has been putting up 26.4 points a game the last five weeks, which is good, to be honest, all thanks to Bo Nix keeping things steady and making big plays. But they can’t afford another mess like Week 16, where a failed fourth-and-6 and a couple of turnovers killed their flow. If Nix and the offense can get back to that groove where they averaged 380 yards a game, they’ve got a real shot against the Bengals’ shaky secondary.

This season’s been a wild ride for Denver. They kicked things off 1-3 but bounced back with a four-game win streak but later lost to the Chargers. Now, locking in a playoff spot would not only end their postseason drought. But also makes Nix’s rookie year one for the books. “We’ve bounced back before, and we’ll do it again. This team has what it takes,” Nick stated. Week 17 is their shot at a comeback, and it’s all on the line.

Crunch time decisions for Bo Nix and co

Bo Nix has been carrying the Broncos’ offense, but some think the team’s holding him back. Broncos legend Karl Mecklenburg even called out the coaching staff, saying they need to stop playing it so safe with Nix. Like the loss in Week 16 was a prime example. His gameplay got shut down by cautious calls, like that punt on fourth-and-6 that literally had fans in the stadium shaking their heads. It’s a no-brainer that people are frustrated. Like, people, if you have amazing players, use them.

Injuries have been another big headache for Denver this season. Jerry Jeudy missed some time with an ankle injury, and key defensive guys like Josey Jewell and K’Waun Williams have had their own setbacks. Those absences cost the Broncos some close losses, including that overtime defeat to the Texans in Week 10. Let’s all pray, that such a play doesn’t happen again.

But Nix isn’t giving up. After the Chargers game, he did admit that he was frustrated, but stayed calm. “Frustrated. The difference in our two games with them is seven points. The margin of error is one touchdown. We should be able to find a way to get one touchdown,” he stated. While the point difference is just a touchdown away, it is what it is. But Bo Nix could be the spark that te team needs against the Bengals, who’ve been all over the place this season.

The real challenge will be whether Sean Payton can find the sweet spot between taking risks and keeping things smart.