Sean Payton and Bo Nix's NFC South dominance could be on full display in Week 9

The Denver Broncos face the Carolina Panthers in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL Season. It's the team's final game before the Week 10 bye, and that just so happens to line up nicely before the NFL Trade Deadline.

In an ideal world, the Broncos take care of the Panthers and make some sort of notable trade deadline move before Tuesday. And based on the history that both Sean Payton and Bo Nix have against the NFC South, there could be a fifth-straight win coming.

It might only be a matter of time before the Broncos breakout and dominate the Panthers in Week 9.

Denver Broncos' QB Bo Nix has owned the NFC South in his career thus far

Nix has played four career games against the NFC South in his career and has put up the following numbers:

Nix has averaged over two touchdowns per game against the NFC South. Denver played that entire division during Nix's rookie year. They beat Tampa Bay and New Orleans in their buildings, and beat Atlanta and Carolina at home.

Nix also tends to heat up in the middle of the season, as well, and we have seen that over the last two weeks. The Broncos have averaged 29 points per game the past to weeks, and Nix has absolutely increased his efficiency - he has a 96.6 passer rating the past two weeks. Over the first six games, he had a 79.4 rating.

The third-year QB playing well as of late, coupled with his dominance against the NFC South, could make for a very prolific outing in Week 9.

Sean Payton has also dominated the NFC South in his career

Payton began his coaching career with the Saints back in 2006 and coached them through the 2021 NFL Season, taking 2022 off before coming to the Broncos. He has seen as much NFC South football as anyone, and he absolutely left his mark in that division, as he accumulated a 65-35 regular season record with the Saints, which includes the 4-0 sweep with the Broncos in 2024.

Nix being dominant against the NFC South in those four games is surely tied to Payton's dominance dating back to the 2006 season. Payton finished with just two losing seasons against the NFC South in his head coaching career as well. He also won at least four games against the division in 11 separate seasons.

This isn't guaranteeing a win, of course, but more to show just how good things have gone for Payton and Nix against the South. With the Broncos sitting at 6-2 and right in the mix for the top of the AFC, this type of mid-season game is one the team has to win, period. Carolina simply isn't a good team - they have struggled on defense all year and have now lost two games in a row. Bryce Young has struggled as of late, and while this could create a more desperate Panthers squad, the Broncos have better players, an advantage at QB, and a coaching advantage.

The sheer dominance we have seen from Payton and Nix against the NFC South needs to be, and should be, on full display in Week 9.

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