Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos can clinch their first playoff berth since their Super Bowl-winning 2015 season with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. The Broncos (9-5) are sixth in the AFC standings and they have an opportunity to end years of playoff futility.

“We’ve talked about it all year. The next game is the most important game. Right now, this is what’s important to us,” Nix told reporters Tuesday. “This next one would put us on track for where we want to go. We have a lot of work to do. The job isn’t finished, so that’s what we’re gonna do.”

Nix, the rookie quarterback from Oregon, will face Chargers quarterback and fellow former Oregon star Justin Herbert in a game with significant playoff implications for the Chargers (8-6) as well. A win won’t clinch a playoff spot, but the Chargers can get in with a win and losses by the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

The Chargers are coming off an 40-17 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fortunately for them, they didn’t have much time to dwell on the loss and needed to pivot to the Broncos.

“Those are the opportunities you want. You want to be playing games in December and January – those games that really mean something,” Herbert told reporters. “It’s much easier waking up for them and getting excited. The guys are excited for this opportunity … understanding the importance of them. It’s definitely a great feeling.”

The Chargers defeated the Broncos 23-16 in Week 6, but they had to hang on after building a 23-0 lead entering the fourth quarter. The Chargers have lost three of the last four games, while the Broncos are riding a four-game winning streak.

“We’ve all been on the other side of success. We understand what it’s like to be knocked down. We don’t want to be that again. So we want to continue to do what’s gotten us to this point and what’s allowed us to have success,” Nix said to reporters. “That’s working hard, showing up to practice (and) doing the dirty work, so we can go out there and play a good game.”