RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s desire to see how rookie quarterback Bo Nix performs in a late-season, primetime situation reportedly played a role in the Broncos agreeing to get flexed into a Thursday night game in Week 16.
Speaking Thursday on her Scoop City podcast (beginning at the 26:40 mark of the video), Dianna Russini of The Athletic gave some insight into why the Broncos were fine with the move:
Russini said Payton has a “mindset that they want the spotlight,” adding that they want “all the lights shining on him, all the pressure, all the cameras” on Nix in order to give him as much big-game experience as possible.
After instituting the ability to flex Thursday Night Football games last season, the NFL did so for the first time this season, flexing the scheduled Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals game out in favor of the Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16.
Per ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio, the Broncos had the right to decline the flex since the NFL has a policy against teams having two short-week road games in the same season.
Despite that, Payton didn’t have an issue with the move, telling reporters:
“It’s a road game anyway, right? I like the fact that we have another opportunity. I remember this a long time ago, ‘Boys, we’d rather be flexed in than flexed out.’ It’s a real good team playing real good, and it flexes Cincinnati out who we play the following week. So there was a little… But it is what it is, and they just tell us when we’re playing.”
Payton didn’t elaborate on his point about the Bengals, but Russini noted that the other factor in the Broncos accepting the flex is the fact that it gives them a rest advantage for their Week 17 game against Cincinnati.
The Bengals will now play a Sunday game against the Browns in Week 16, meaning they will play on normal rest in Week 17, whereas the Broncos will have a couple of extra days to prepare.
At 7-5, the Broncos have performed above expectations so far this season, and they are currently in a wild-card spot.
Nix’s play is a big reason why, as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft is completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 2,548 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions, while also rushing for 300 yards and four scores.
Many questioned the Broncos’ decision to make Nix the sixth quarterback selected in the first round of the draft, but it has paid dividends thus far, and Denver is in position for its first playoff berth since winning the Super Bowl in 2015.
If Nix performs well against another potential playoff team in the Chargers in a primetime road game in Week 16, it could go a long way toward the Broncos both reaching the playoffs and making some noise once they get there.
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