NEW ORLEANS – The Broncos' path to the NFL playoffs is clear, and the signposts are so simple any first-grader could read them:

Run, Bo, run.

I reject the idea that this season is all about training a rookie quarterback and playing with his hard shots.

The Broncos changed history with a 33-10 loss to a struggling and hapless New Orleans team.

Why not us? Playoffs or bankruptcy.

“Everybody eats,” said Denver linebacker Cody Barton, the proud contributor of a 52-yard scoop-and-score touchdown to a nasty defense that features all of this Broncos team’s truly great playmakers.

It only took Broncos coach Sean Payton seven weeks to play football, but he finally grasped the truth and embraced an idea that was simply brilliant. At this point in his prized rookie's pro career, Nix looks more like Tim Tebow than Drew Brees.

Nix's 75 yards rushing was the most by a Denver quarterback since – see notes – someone I fondly remember as Big Tebowski.

“We are building. We'll find out,” Payton said, warning us that his rock-'em-sock-'em strategy for the undermanned Saints was more the result of a short week of preparation for a Thursday night contest than a long-term path to success.

Here's a little free advice, Mr. Payton. So take it for what it's worth: It's never a question of disrespect when a coach swallows his ego and plays to his quarterback's strengths.

Nix's ability to read professional defenses could still be elementary.

And its accuracy? Spotty at best.

However, the Broncos have finally learned to have fun with Bo and Sean.

See Bo run.

Run, Bo, run.

Look, look at the NFL rankings.

The Broncos have a 4-3 record and have become a legitimate playoff contender by celebrating the fundamentals of football.

It's simple but fun. Hit the stone. Punish with tackles.

“We got the ball rolling,” Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles said.

What do they say here in Nawlins?

Laissez les bons moments rouler!

Nix led an orange and blue parade down Bourbon Street. Javonte Williams grabbed the football like a frozen daiquiri and charged into an offense that punished the Saints with 225 yards rushing, the most for a Broncos team in a game since 2013.

Payton took all the pages of his old New Orleans playbook that were once reserved for Taysom Hill and passed the good stuff to Nix.

A Denver offense that sputtered and bored for six games finally found its identity in the Big Easy.

RPOs are us.

And in this era of NFL football where defenses seem obsessed with preventing throws from deep, there's nothing wrong with a quarterback making the pass his secondary option.

So let this Broncos defense pound on them until it hurts, then stand back and watch Nix beat them with his feet.

Even though I'm not half as much of a football genius as Payton pretends to be, I've insisted on taking Nix out of the pocket whenever possible so he can focus on receivers that come into his line of sight, and when it's There's no obvious target, applaud the rookie for tucking the ball in a Forrest Gump dash to the first-down stick.

Those who have vowed to live or die with Nix might find this basic strategy slightly offensive.

But I'm here to tell you: With this defense, the Broncos, Bo, can run all the way to the NFL playoffs.

Yes, Nix can bounce passes on the turf between two wide-open receivers, like he did in crazy fashion on the game's opening play when Lucas Krull and Troy Franklin were both begging to do damage in the red zone.

However, Nix has a competitive spirit that is pure fire and flame. He is fearless as he stares down a linebacker approaching him in the open field. And Denver teammates love playing for him.

These are all very Tebow-like traits. These are not intangibles, but rather the truly good things that make up real leadership.

Nix, whose QB rating remains near the bottom of the league after completing 16 of 26 passes for 164 yards, won't beat Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson or Kirk Cousins ​​with his arm.

But it no longer takes a vivid imagination to see how the Broncos can complete the remaining tests on their schedule with nine or 10 wins. It is clear to see how it can be done.

Run, Bo, run.