The Broncos only have 16 total giveaways this season — the 10th-fewest — and Nix is consistently very careful with the ball. Another game of lackadaisical ball handling, though, could give the Chiefs just the sliver of daylight needed to kick the door open and upset the Broncos.

The 26-year-old Hufanga has racked up 101 tackles and six tackles for loss in 2025 as a Joker-type defender, relied upon for all varieties of man-coverage, run-stop and specialty pass-rush situations in Joseph’s scheme. Such specialty situations, however, take intrinsic adjustment and feel from other members of this Broncos secondary.

The Broncos' quarterback could certainly benefit on Thursday from a strong running game — rookie RJ Harvey posted a career high in scrimmage yards in Week 16 — and an impressive defensive performance. But in a critical game, Nix's ability to create could be a key difference.

Denver Broncos' coach starting to get plenty of buzz as a head coaching candidate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Denver Broncos may have multiple coaches on their sideline being considered for head coaching gigs in 2026.

The Broncos tied the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens for the most Pro Bowl selections of any NFL team.

Six Broncos have been chosen to represent the team at the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, marking the most Broncos to be selected to the initial Pro Bowl roster since the 2014 season.

Elsewhere on the ex-Bronco front, guard Netane Muti was cut from the Detroit Lions ' practice squad, the Los Angeles Chargers signed running back Royce Freeman to their practice squad and the New England Patriots cut practice squad offensive lineman Sebastian Gutierrez.