Your (column) about Bo Nix turning the Broncos into Super Bowl contenders next year was premature. The Broncos have eight games next year against playoff teams. You’ve obviously drank the Kool-Aid. A bit of pragmatism would be refreshing when writing about the Broncos’ future.

Quarterback Bo Nix finds Courtland Sutton for a Broncos first down late in the second quarter vs. the Bills. Watch the Broncos' top plays from their Wild Card Weekend matchup with the Buffalo Bills. GM George Paton on taking the next step to compete with playoff teams: 'This has to be our standard moving forward'

Despite the Broncos’ 31-7 loss to the Bills in the wild-card round, a new standard has been set. The Broncos returned to relevance with a 10-7 regular season and their first postseason berth since 2015.

Quarterback Bo Nix connects with wide receiver Courtland Sutton for a 47-yard gain vs. the Chiefs, which puts Sutton over 1,000 yards for the season.

The Denver Broncos advance into makeable field goal range just before halftime on a 21-yard pass completion from Broncos' quarterback Bo Nix to Broncos' wide receiver Courtland Sutton.

After the Denver Broncos clinched a spot in the NFL playoffs with a 38-0 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton gave a brilliant response when asked about rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Sutton’s answer was lengthy, but it’s worth reading the full message, transcribed below courtesy of Denver’s PR team:

In a season in which the Denver Broncos finally got back to the playoffs, which players stood out and won our awards?

The Broncos turned a must-win game into a rout. And don’t think for a moment that it wasn’t earned. They absolutely deserve this playoff berth.

Sutton caught five of nine targets for 75 yards in Sunday's 31-7 wild-card round loss to the Bills. The veteran wideout led the Broncos in catches, targets and receiving yards, although it was Troy Franklin who was on the other end of rookie QB Bo Nix's only TD pass Sunday.

A 32-yard first-half catch by Courtland Sutton not only set up a field goal that put Denver ahead by 24 points at the half. It also earned him a $500,000 bonus via a contract incentive.

Against the Kansas City Chiefs, Broncos head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix made sure to get their guy his money. With three receptions on three targets, Sutton has 89 yards and a touchdown heading into halftime, giving him 1,072 for the season.

Last year, the Broncos made two trades with the New York Jets, acquiring quarterback Zach Wilson and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. Wilson stuck around as the No. 3 quarterback, while Franklin-Myers produced a career season with seven sacks and upgraded the defensive line.