Chiefs Hold Slim Halftime Edge in Tense Thursday Night Clash

Bo Nix is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Denver Broncos in the NFL. He was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and grew up primarily in Alabama, where he played high school football at Pinson Valley High School, winning multiple state titles under his father’s coaching[5]. He began his college career at Auburn University, where he set multiple school records and was recognized on several award watch lists. At Auburn, he completed 58.7% of his passes for nearly 5,000 yards and 28 touchdowns during his tenure[4]. In 2022, Nix transferred to the University of Oregon, utilizing NCAA eligibility extensions related to COVID-19. At Oregon, he significantly elevated his performance, setting school single-season records for completions (364), passing yards (4,508), and passing touchdowns (45) in 2023. He also set the NCAA single-season record for completion percentage at 77.45% in 2023, breaking the previous record held by Mac Jones. Over his two seasons at Oregon, he led the Ducks to a 10–3 record in 2022, including a Holiday Bowl victory, and a strong 2023 campaign that saw Oregon contend for the College Football Playoff. Nix finished his college career ranked among the NCAA leaders in total yards, touchdowns, completions, and passing yards, starting 61 games—the most in NCAA history for a quarterback[1][2]. Bo Nix was selected as the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He quickly became the Broncos' starting quarterback, the first rookie to do so since 1983. In his rookie NFL season, he made history as the first rookie quarterback to complete over 80% of his passes while throwing for at least four touchdowns and 300 yards in a game. He earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors and showed rapid development with multiple Rookie of the Week awards[3][6][7]. Nix is known for his strong accuracy, leadership, and football lineage—his father, Patrick Nix, was a college quarterback and coach, and his brothers also play college football. Off the field, Bo Nix is noted for his faith, family values, and active partnerships with various brands[5].

Wil Lutz is an American professional placekicker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL), known for his accuracy and leg strength, particularly on long field-goal attempts.[4][7] Born July 7, 1994, in Newnan, Georgia, Lutz played college football at Georgia State after walking on to the program and went undrafted in 2016 before signing with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent.[3][5] He established himself quickly in New Orleans, setting a Saints rookie record for field goals made and earning a place on the Pro Football Writers Association All‑Rookie Team; over his career with the Saints he became one of the franchise’s most reliable kickers and earned a Pro Bowl selection.[3][2] Lutz is noted for several high‑leverage kicks, including a 58‑yard, game‑winning field goal on Monday Night Football in 2019, and for long streaks of accuracy that included NFL‑level consistency from 50+ yards on multiple occasions.[3][2][5] After six seasons with New Orleans, Lutz joined the Denver Broncos, where he has continued to contribute as the team’s primary kicker and has produced multiple game‑winning kicks and notable long field goals for Denver.[1][7] Statistically, across his NFL tenure through recent seasons he has made the large majority of his attempts, reflecting a career field‑goal percentage that ranks among the league’s more accurate veterans at the position.[7][1] Off the field, Lutz has appeared in community and speaking engagements and is represented for corporate appearances and endorsements.[2] He remains an active NFL player whose immediate relevance is tied to his role as Denver’s placekicker and his ongoing performance in game situations.