The Denver Broncos have found themselves at the center of NFL history once again, and this time, it’s thanks to the meteoric rise of Bo Nix. Selected as the sixth quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Nix has quickly silenced any doubters, orchestrating one of the most impressive starts to a quarterback’s career in recent memory. As the Broncos gear up for their pivotal Week 18 clash with the Los Angeles Chargers, all eyes are on Nix and the tantalizing records within his grasp.
Let’s rewind to the beginning of the 2024 season. The Broncos stumbled out of the gate, dropping their first two games—a period that many chalked up to growing pains for Nix and the team as they adjusted to life with a rookie signal-caller. But what followed was nothing short of remarkable. Since that rocky start, Denver has posted a blistering 23-8 regular season record, bringing their overall tally to 23-10 heading into the final week. It’s a run that has not only revived playoff hopes in the Mile High City but also put Nix on the cusp of NFL history.
What’s at stake in Week 18? With the Chargers opting to rest starting quarterback Justin Herbert and several other key players, the Broncos have a golden opportunity to secure a 14-3 regular season finish. More importantly, a win would allow Nix to tie the all-time NFL record for most wins by a quarterback in their first two seasons—a record set by none other than Russell Wilson, who notched 24 victories with the Seattle Seahawks in 2012 and 2013. It’s a poetic twist, considering Wilson’s own tumultuous tenure in Denver and the fact that Nix has stepped into the very shoes Wilson once struggled to fill.
Comparisons between the two quarterbacks are inevitable, and the numbers tell quite a story. Wilson’s first two seasons were legendary: a 24-8 record, 509 completions on 800 attempts (63.6%), 6,475 yards, 52 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, and a stellar 100.6 passer rating. Nix, meanwhile, has already compiled a 23-10 record with 750 completions on 1,156 attempts (64.9%), 7,565 yards, 54 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions, good for a 90.7 passer rating. Notably, Nix leads all NFL quarterbacks in passing attempts this season, a testament to head coach Sean Payton’s trust in his young star.
But it’s not just about wins and stats—Nix has been rewriting the record books in other ways, too. He threw 29 touchdown passes as a rookie, three more than Wilson managed in his debut campaign. He’s also the only quarterback in NFL history to win over 20 games while passing for more than 7,500 yards and 50 touchdowns in his first two seasons. These achievements are even more impressive when you consider the context: the NFL season now consists of 17 games, as opposed to the 16-game seasons Wilson played through. Still, the consistency and production from Nix are hard to ignore.
“Bo Nix has been a high-volume passer thus far in the NFL. This shows how much Sean Payton trusts his quarterback, as a lot has been put on his plate this year,” one analyst noted, emphasizing the responsibility shouldered by the young quarterback. And it’s not just the coaching staff that’s taken notice—the Broncos’ fanbase, long hungry for a return to glory, has rallied behind Nix’s poise and leadership.
Of course, the road to this moment hasn’t been without its bumps. If not for a disappointing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16—a game some called a "stinker"—Nix might have already secured sole possession of the coveted wins record. But as fate would have it, the drama is set for a climactic showdown with the Chargers, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
What does a win in Week 18 mean beyond the record books? Securing victory would clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the Broncos, granting them a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. As any seasoned football fan knows, that’s the dream scenario for any team hoping to make a deep postseason run. “Only having to triumph in two home games is the path of least resistance for any quarterback,” wrote Chad Jensen of Mile High Huddle, highlighting just how favorable the playoff picture could become for Denver.
There’s a sense of déjà vu in the air for Broncos fans, too. The last time Denver hoisted the Lombardi Trophy was exactly 10 years ago, in a Super Bowl played at Levi’s Stadium—the very venue slated to host this year’s championship game. Could history be repeating itself? The parallels are uncanny, and the optimism in Denver is palpable.
Yet, as impressive as Nix’s accomplishments have been, the comparisons to Wilson extend beyond the stat sheet. Wilson’s second season famously culminated in a Super Bowl victory, a feat that set the bar for all young quarterbacks who followed. “Broncos Country should hope that Nix follows Wilson’s second-year path,” another commentator mused, referencing the legendary run that saw Wilson and the Seahawks topple the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. Wilson even returned to the big game the following year, though the Seahawks fell just short against the New England Patriots.
For Nix, the journey is far from over. While the prospect of tying Wilson’s record is tantalizing, the ultimate goal remains clear: bringing another championship to Denver. With a top-ranked defense and one of the most experienced coaches in the league at his side, Nix is well-positioned to make a run at NFL immortality. Analytics powerhouses like Pro Football Focus are already giving the Broncos the best odds of winning it all, and the team’s recent form only adds fuel to the fire.
“Overall, this is one of the best starts to a quarterback’s career that we have ever seen, period,” one report declared, capturing the excitement and anticipation surrounding Nix’s ascent. And while records and accolades are nice, it’s the chance to deliver for Broncos Country that truly drives this team forward.
As the regular season draws to a close, all eyes will be on Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos as they chase history against the Chargers. With a win, Nix will etch his name alongside Russell Wilson in the NFL’s record books and set the stage for what could be a storybook playoff run. The action is far from over in the Mile High City, and the football world will be watching every snap.
