Broncos are nearly guaranteed a playoff spot with a win over Texans in Week 9
The Denver Broncos are looking to make the playoffs for the second year in a row, and the last time that was done was the 2014 and 2015 NFL Seasons with Peyton Manning leading the charge. Under the Sean Payton/Bo Nix era, the Broncos have gone 16-9 in their 25 games, which is a stellar .640 winning percentage.
That actually shakes out to be 11 wins across a 17-game season. Anyway, Denver is traveling to Houston to face the surging Texans. They've won three of their previous four games and field the best defense in the NFL, so things won't be easy.
Houston is also a team that could get into the playoff picture, so this head-to-head tiebreaker would be huge down the line. Even though the team is just 3-4, they're playing a lot better than that, and it's reflected in the Broncos' playoff odds, as they would skyrocket with a win and essentially guarantee that Denver gets into the dance.
NFL.com's playoff picture is very kind to the Denver Broncos
NFL.com's playoff odds come from Next Gen Stats, and right now, the Broncos have an 80% chance to make the playoffs. With a loss in Week 9, their odds would drop to 74%, which is still pretty good, but with a win, their odds rise to 91%, which is a near-guarantee that Denver gets into the postseason for the second year in a row.
It took the Broncos several more games to get to that 90% figure, as their win over the Indianapolis Colts late in the season actually sprung their odds to 90%. That ended up being Denver's fourth win in a row, and they improved to 9-5.
Denver would improve to 7-2 with a win in Week 9. Back in 2024, it took them until Week 12 to get their seventh win, so it's clear how much further along this operation is now. Overall, the Broncos are going to matchup with the Texans well, but no Patrick Surtain II is going to hurt, and potentially no Marvin Mims Jr is a double-whammy of brutality.
Ideally, Denver is able to not shoot themselves in the foot with costly penalties and self-inflicted wounds, as that's been a sore spot this year. Houston's defense is simply too good here, and we might be in a situation where Denver is trying to 'steal' some points late in the game.
There is a reason why Denver's playoff odds increase so much in the event of a win - this game is massive for both teams.
INTERNET GOES WILD: Puka Nacua Responds After Kim Kardashian Criticizes Taylor Swift — Rams Star’s Unexpected Defense Breaks the Internet
The internet has exploded once again, but this time the spark came from Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua — and his words have everyone talking. After Kim Kardashian
Known for his humility and competitive drive on the field, Nacua’s statement came as a shock to many — not because of what he said, but because of how genuine and heartfelt it was.
“There’s a difference between having an opinion and trying to tear someone down,” Nacua said. “Taylor Swift’s success wasn’t handed to her — she earned every bit of it through hard work and passion. I respect that. As an athlete, I understand what it takes to stay on top, and she’s done it for years. That’s greatness.”
Social media immediately erupted. Within hours, #PukaProtectsTaylor began trending across X and Instagram, as both Swifties and Rams fans praised the wideout for his integrity and sincerity. “Puka Nacua defending Taylor Swift just made my entire week,” one fan posted. Another added, “From rookie phenom to Swiftie spokesperson — what can’t this man do?”
Nacua’s timing couldn’t have been better. Amid a swirl of online negativity, his calm and thoughtful message served as a refreshing reminder that empathy and respect still matter — even in the digital spotlight. ESPN’s Mina Kimes praised his comments, calling them “a rare moment of class and perspective in a chaotic social media era.”
The Rams star has always been known for his team-first mentality, but this latest moment showed another side of him — one that resonates beyond the field. By standing up for Swift, Nacua not only earned admiration from the NFL community but also found a new legion of fans among Swift’s devoted followers.
As one viral post perfectly summed it up:
“Puka Nacua doesn’t just catch passes — he catches hearts.”
Whether it’s breaking rookie records or breaking the internet, Puka Nacua continues to prove he’s a star who shines on and off the field.
