Mark Kiszla: The Broncos now have clear path to the NFL playoffs. Repeat after me: Run, Bo, run!

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.

Nix the idea that this season is dedicated to nothing more than schooling a rookie quarterback and rolling with his hard knocks.

With a 33-10 rout and against a banged-up and hapless New Orleans team, the Broncos have 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 to a nasty defense where all the real big playmakers on this Broncos team can be found.

It only took Broncos coach Sean Payton seven weeks of football, but he finally wrapped his head around the truth and embraced an idea that’s simply brilliant. At this point in his prized rookie’s pro career, Nix more closely resembles Tim Tebow than Drew Brees.

The 75 yards rushing by Nix was the most by a Denver quarterback since – checks notes – somebody I fondly remember as the Big Tebowski.

“We’re building. We’re figuring it out,” said Payton, warning 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 contest as a long-term path to success.

Here’s a little 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 might still be elementary.

And his accuracy? Spotty, at best.

The Broncos, however, have finally learned to have fun with Bo and Sean.

Run, Bo, run.

Look, look at the NFL standings.

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

It’s elementary, but fun. Pound the rock. Punish with tackles.

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

What’s that they say here in Nawlins?

Laissez les bons moments rouler!

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

Payton took all the pages in his old New Orleans playbook once reserved for Taysom Hill and gave the good stuff to Nix.

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

RPO’s are us.

And in this era of NFL football, when 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 ‘em until it hurts, then stand back and watch Nix beat ‘em with his feet.

Although I’m not half the football genius that Payton professes to be, I’ve been harping to get Nix out of the pocket whenever possible, allowing him to concentrate on receivers coming into his field of vision, and if there’s no obvious target, applaud the rookie for tucking the ball in a Forrest Gump dash for the first-down stick.

Those who have pledged to ride-or-die with Nix might find this elementary strategy mildly insulting.

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

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

Nix, however, has a competitive spirit that’s pure fire. He’s fearless when staring down a linebacker closing on him in the open field. And Denver teammates love to play for him.

Those are all very Tebow-esque traits. And they’re not intangibles, but real good stuff of which genuine leadership is made.

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 victories against the remaining tests on their schedule. It’s clear to see how it can be done.

Run, Bo, run.