The costume spoke volumes.

At a Halloween party this week, Bo Nix and his wife Izzy wore Top Gun-inspired outfits. Dressed in a leather bomber jacket with sunglasses and a crew cut, Nix was the Iceman.

Ferris Bueller is funny, mischievous, and an expert in shortcuts. Iceman is more Nix's personality – confident, determined, rigid and committed. He's known for following the rules and coloring within the lines, fitting Nix, who revealed on the Jumbotron last week that he would have become an FBI agent if football failed.

Structure, policies, implementation of the plan – all of these things are the focus this week. Far earlier than planned, Nix has the chance to prove that he is a franchise quarterback on Sunday.

After a rocky start, he exuded that spirit in October, winning the NFL's Rookie of the Month award.

Typically, teams know by November of a quarterback's second season whether he is the answer. Nothing shakes the Polaroid image and develops faster than expected. His performance against the Panthers makes it easy to dream – of a winning record, of a spot in the playoffs. Wouldn't this be something for the Broncos after years of wandering in obscurity?

But the question of whether this quarterback and this team are real depends on this matchup. The Broncos have gotten fat in the NFC South, Raiders and Jets. In other words, your CHSAA RPI stinks.

On Sunday, Nix can show that this team is not a fraud. The Ravens are offering this type of test, which understandably sends many in Broncos Country underground for fear of putting their heads above the ceiling.

The Broncos have, to put it kindly, withered in these spots since Super Bowl 50. When you put them in a big game against a good team, no amount of Febreze can take away that smell.

The Ravens are not an ideal pairing. They boast reigning MVP Lamar Jackson. Despite missing two training sessions this week due to knee and back problems, he is the best player in the league. Sick, tired, injured, it doesn't matter.

He also uses rookie quarterbacks to brush his teeth, going 8-0 against them in his career.

Face Jackson without batting an eye, and Nix will answer critical questions about his long-term future and his ability to meet the moment. Beat Jackson, and he's viewed as the solution that just needs more weapons — the Broncos need to trade/draft/sign a tight end and No. 1 receiver next week or next March — to complete his development.

Nix is ​​surrounded by skepticism. This week, 33rd Team Nix's Dan Pizzuta ranked 29th starting quarterback based on skill and performance, ahead of only Gardner Minshew, Mason Rudolph and Spencer Rattler. That requires Lasik surgery or a recount.

Despite his improvement, Nix's accuracy and ceiling remain questionable. That’s what makes this game – and next week in Kansas City – such an important benchmark. Nix can silence critics and change minds by performing well against a Super Bowl contender.

He will be confident. He scored 10 touchdowns in the last five games and posted a quarterback rating of 96.4. But the road remains part of his test of growth.

Nix played well for a Tampa Bay drive and ran past the Saints. But his overall numbers set the stage for the challenge in Baltimore. Nix has not yet shown that he can handle the ball and take advantage of opportunities.

He didn't turn the ball over or get sacked in the Broncos' three straight road wins. This has extreme value. But the conservative approach won't be enough to upset the Ravens. He needs to make more plays downfield and with his legs.

Away from Denver, he averages 144.5 yards passing and 40 yards rushing per game. Protecting the ball is essential, but overexerting his approach will prevent a win. The Broncos won't win a rock fight in Baltimore. You need to score in the mid-20s.

If Nix wants to impact the national conversation around him, he needs to make more plays — a 30-yard-plus rush, for example — and take a deep drive or two. The Ravens' secondary gives reason to believe he can. This group has suffered oil losses all season, a mix of injuries, dropped picks and failed outings. Baltimore has allowed more than 300 yards four times and has held an opponent under 200 yards only once.

Nix needs to keep Courtland Sutton on his toes on crossing routes and connect deep with Troy Franklin or Marvin Mims Jr. You know, show a little underdog playing with courage and instincts. And coach Sean Payton needs to keep Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull in the game, as Baltimore allows the second-most goals and yards to tight ends.