NEW ORLEANS – The Broncos’ path to the NFL playoffs is clear, and the signs for the route are so simple that any first-grader could read them:

Run, Bo, run.

Ignore the idea that this season is nothing more than developing a rookie quarterback and rolling with his hard knocks.

With a 33-10 loss against a broken and unhappy New Orleans team, the Broncos changed the narrative.

Why not us? Playoffs or bust.

“Everybody eats,” said Denver linebacker Cody Barton, the proud contributor of a 52-yard scoop-and-score touchdown on a pesky defense that is home to all of this Broncos team’s true big playmakers.

It only took Broncos coach Sean Payton seven weeks of football, but he was finally able to embrace the truth and embrace an idea that is nothing short of brilliant. At this point in his prized rookie’s pro career, Nix looks more like Tim Tebow than Drew Brees.

Nix’s 75 yards passing were the most by a Denver quarterback since — see notes — someone I fondly remember as the Big Tebowski.

“We are building. We’re figuring it out,” said Payton, who cautioned us that his rock ’em-sock ’em strategy for the shorthanded Saints was more a product of a short week of preparation for a Thursday night game as a long-term path to success. .

Here’s some free advice, Mr. Payton. So take it for what it’s worth: It’s never a matter of disrespect when a coach swallows his ego and plays to his quarterback’s strengths.

Nix’s ability to read pro defenses may still be rudimentary.

And its accuracy? Spotty at best.

However, the Broncos have finally learned to have fun with Bo and Sean.

See Bo running.

Run, Bo, run.

Look, look at the NFL standings.

The Broncos have a 4-3 record and have become a legitimate playoff contender by celebrating the basics of football.

It’s elementary, but fun. Hit the stone. Punish with tackles.

“We got the ball rolling,” Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles said.

What do they say here in Nawlins?

Laissez les bons moments!

Nix led an orange and blue parade down Bourbon Street. Javonte Williams grabbed the football like a frozen daiquiri and wandered off for an offense that punished the Saints with 225 yards rushing, the most for a Broncos team in a game since 2013.

Payton took every page from his old New Orleans playbook that was once reserved for Taysom Hill and gave the good stuff to Nix.

A Denver offense that sputtered and bored for six games finally found its identity in the Big Easy.

We are RPOs.

And in this era of NFL football, where defenses seem obsessed with denying the deep throw, there’s nothing wrong with a quarterback making the pass his secondary option.

So let this Broncos defense hit them until it hurts, then stand back and watch Nix beat them with his feet.

While I’m not half the football genius Payton claims to be, I tried to get Nix out of the pocket whenever possible so he could focus on receivers coming into his line of sight, and if there’s no clear target, cheer for the rookie for putting the ball in a Forrest Gump sprint for the first-down stick.

Those who have vowed to ride or die with Nix may find this elemental strategy mildly insulting.

But I’m here to tell you: With this defense, the Broncos can make a run, Bo, all the way to the NFL playoffs.

Yes, Nix can bounce passes on the turf between two wide-open receivers, as he maddeningly did on the game’s opening drive, with Lucas Krull and Troy Franklin both begging to do damage in the red zone.

However, Nix has a competitive spirit that is pure fire. He is fearless as he stares down a linebacker approaching him in the open field. And Denver teammates love playing for him.

Those are all very Tebow-esque qualities. And they are not intangibles, but really good things that true leadership is made of.

Nix, whose QB rating will remain in the bottom tier of the league after completing 16 of 26 passes for 164 yards, won’t beat Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson or Kirk Cousins ​​with his arm.

But it no longer takes a vivid imagination to see how the Broncos can finish with nine or 10 wins against the remaining tests on their schedule. It is clear how it can be done.

Run, Bo, run.