The Broncos entered halftime going through a 10-7 deficit, however their short-lived drives on offense endured within the second half. With two three-and-outs within the third quarter and the Payments placing collectively lengthy, fruitful drives, the Broncos had six performs to point out for getting into the ultimate body. That compelled Denver to go for it on fourth-and-long on their solely red-zone possession of the sport within the fourth quarter, down 21-7, and after forcing a cease, the Payments proceeded to take almost seven minutes off the clock on the following possession to make it a three-score recreation and basically ice the consequence.

“We obtained beat right now and, particularly within the postseason, that is at all times a bitter capsule to swallow,” Payton stated. “And but, it would go down, and it is obtained to gasoline you and lightweight a fireplace within the path we have to go. One of many issues we realized early on is we obtained to discover a approach to play these video games at residence. That is one other factor that is necessary.”

Nix completed 13-of-22 passing for 144 yards and a TD with no turnovers and led this workforce with 43 speeding yards, manufacturing usually derived from damaged performs influenced by the Payments’ cross rush. Whereas his errors have been restricted, Nix could not get the Broncos shifting constantly together with his arm, and it made for an extended day because the offense watched a lot of the one-sided affair from the sideline.

Nonetheless, the Broncos can maintain their heads excessive figuring out they’ve a younger QB to construct off, and bettering on the inspiration laid in 2024 begins now.

“It is loads to develop from, loads to construct from,” Nix stated. “I am excited to be right here right now as a result of our trajectory goes up. I am excited for lots of issues we have now out in entrance of us. Now we have loads to stay up for that I am pumped about.”