What happened: Beat writer Troy Renck pointed to quarterback Bo Nix moving past his slump and a dominant Denver Broncos defense following a 30-16 victory on Oct. 25. Renck also cited rookie running back Jonah Coleman as an emerging future starter after Coleman returned from a Sept. 26 injured reserve placement.

Why it matters: Steady execution from Nix, drafted 12th overall out of Oregon in 2024, keeps the offense on schedule in the AFC playoff picture. Developing Coleman in the backfield gives Denver a long-term ground option after the rookie carried an official questionable designation on Oct. 24.

What to watch: Denver enters Week 8 of the 2026 regular season looking to extend its winning streak to four games while Coleman works to expand his backfield workload.