The magic moment was there for the Broncos. The breakthrough for Bo Nix could be seen.

Trailing 24-17 with 8:08 to play and facing a fourth-and-1, Denver appeared to pull off a miracle. Their quarterback dodged the pressure, threw a pass toward the end zone and witnessed prayers answered. Marvin Mims made a 25-yard touchdown catch, keeping the Broncos’ hope alive in Cincinnati.

This enabled Denver to win a game that wasn’t about winning. They hadn’t forced the Bengals to punt all night. If not for an injury timeout in the final two minutes of the game, Cincy would have kicked the game-winning field goal in less than 20 seconds.

But things had gone the Broncos way. Despite all odds, they still had a chance to turn defeat into victory. Despite the circumstances, Nix had the opportunity to be a hero in the final moments.

Denver had covered 70 yards in less than 90 seconds. They were just two points away from punching their ticket to the postseason for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50, and in perhaps the most unlikely way possible.

However, instead of going for the win, the Broncos settled for overtime. Knowing that a tie would allow them to make the playoffs, Sean Payton took an extremely conservative approach.

It was a decision his team made. And it also provided plenty of reasons to reevaluate his quarterback.

Had Payton gone for two and Nix converted, hero worship in the Mile High City would have gotten out of control. It would have been a Tebow-esque victory if the circumstances and numbers didn’t matter. The rookie quarterback would have been a folk hero, a player who turned certain defeat into improbable victory with the playoffs on the line.

However, it didn’t happen that way. Ultimately, the Bengals won in overtime, keeping their playoff hopes alive and delaying the Broncos’ invitation to the postseason.

As a result, Nix’s coronation was interrupted. And suddenly a realistic look at the final minutes of the game comes into play.

With the score at 17:17, Denver gained possession at its own 40-yard line with 5:08 to play. They were just a few first downs away from scoring a game-winning field goal considering Cincinnati only had one timeout.

But the Broncos couldn’t capitalize. More precisely, Nix couldn’t seize the moment.

Facing a third-and-15 near midfield, the quarterback needed to get a first down to keep the drive alive. He had to convert to set up a game-winning field goal; Anything less than a first down would almost certainly result in a punt. He had to make a play in an obvious passing situation to lead his team to victory.

What did Nix do? He threw an interception.

This gave the Bengals excellent field position, which ultimately led to the go-ahead touchdown. Yes, Nix ended up tying the score with his miracle throw against Mims, but that wouldn’t have been necessary if he could have converted the game on the line.

A first down would have buried Cincinnati. But that wasn’t the only time in the final minutes that a big play could have led to a win.

In overtime, the Bengals got the ball first. They had to punt and gave the ball to the Broncos with 6:43 left in the game.

A score would have won for Denver. Burning the clock would have gotten them the tie they needed for a spot in the postseason.

The Broncos took the lead with a three-pointer with less than 90 seconds left. However, they had a chance to move the chains, but Nix missed Troy Franklin down the right sideline in the third and sixth. It was an easy first down, if not more so. And the quarterback muttered “I missed him” after the series.

But that wasn’t the case in Denver. You were given another chance.

After Nix’s missed throw to Franklin, the Bengals marched toward what appeared to be a walk-off field goal. But when Cody York hit the left post from 33 yards out, the Broncos were still alive.

Now the tie was definitely in the game. Sure, it wouldn’t have been a satisfying way to get to the postseason, but it still would have gotten the job done. In two weeks, no one would have cared that Denver entered the playoffs with a tie.

All the Broncos needed was a first down. Move the chains and the game was over. But they couldn’t do it.

Denver went three-and-out, thanks in part to a missed third-down throw by Nix, and had just 16 seconds left before having to punt. Cincinnati took possession of the ball, marched 63 yards and won the game with a touchdown.

Ultimately, Joe Burrow delivered. With the Bengals’ season on the line, their QB came up big.

The same cannot be said for the Broncos’ quarterback. And a miracle touchdown pass doesn’t change that fact.

Nix threw a pick and the game was tied 17-17. On third down in overtime, he missed an open receiver. And he couldn’t move the chains if a first down would have put the game on the ice.

That’s three hits in big moments. And they are more important than the crazy, game-winning touchdown pass.

Yes, the throw to Mims in the final seconds was huge. Sure, it showed that the Broncos’ quarterback had some talent. But it wasn’t enough. And that’s all that matters.

The Broncos needed a field goal in the final minutes of the game. They needed a first down or two in overtime. If they had done it in those situations, they would have made the playoffs for the first time in nine years. Instead, Denver’s postseason fate is still uncertain.

Why? Because one magical moment couldn’t make up for several missed opportunities.

The Broncos had a chance to punch their ticket on Saturday. Their quarterback pulled off a miraculous finish that was, in some ways, worthy of a playoff berth.

A come-from-behind win would have been a dramatic way to secure a postseason spot, but it wouldn’t have been meaningful. It would have kept the truth hidden.

Denver isn’t in the postseason at this point because it couldn’t close the door on a Bengals team that was begging to be sent out to pasture. And that’s a shame.

Blame Bo. Blame Sean. Blame whoever is nearby.

The reality is that the Broncos had three late possessions to end the game and return to the playoffs. They didn’t succeed in this.

That’s up to the head coach. That’s up to the quarterback. And until better postseason performance is achieved, that question remains.

The Broncos had so many chances to win the game on Sunday but kept falling short. This is on Nix. That’s because of Payton. And there is no getting around this fact.

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