By: @OOSSports
Sunday, June 14th, 2026
The Denver Broncos built much of their 2025 breakthrough season on late-game magic, and quarterback Bo Nix stood at the center of it.
In only his second NFL season, Nix helped push the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game as the conference’s No. 1 seed. His late-game command became one of Denver’s defining traits, especially as the Broncos finally wrestled the AFC West away from the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, that success also created one of the biggest questions around Denver entering 2026.
The Broncos won 11 one-score games last season, the most in the NFL. NFL Media’s Matt Okada pointed to that number as a potential warning sign.
“Last season, the Broncos won 11 one-score games, most in the NFL. But leading the league in that stat is historically inauspicious, as it tends to result in regression toward the mean the ensuing year,” Okada wrote. “For example, Kansas City won 11 contests decided by one score in 2024 to just one in 2025. With an elite defense and an improved offense, including trade acquisition Jaylen Waddle, Denver is positioned to compete in the AFC again. That is if they can keep winning tight games in 2026.”
That is the balance facing Denver.
Nix proved he could handle pressure, extend games, and deliver in the fourth quarter. Still, relying on dramatic finishes every week is rarely a sustainable formula. The Broncos often allowed lesser opponents to hang around, forcing Nix to create late solutions instead of letting Denver control games earlier.
That has been a recurring issue under Sean Payton, and it is one the Broncos must correct.
Adding Jaylen Waddle should help. His speed gives Denver a more explosive element and should allow new play-caller Davis Webb to attack defenses more aggressively. The Broncos need to build leads, stretch defenses, and put opponents away before the final drive.
Denver still has the defense, quarterback, and improved offensive firepower to contend in the AFC. The next step is proving last season’s close-game success was not just good fortune.
For Nix and the Broncos, 2026 will reveal whether the magic was a foundation or a warning sign.
Thanks for reading. Make sure to check out the latest episode of the OutOfSightSports YouTube series, which dropped last night, where we break down five of the biggest fantasy football sleepers heading into the upcoming 2026-27 NFL season.