In a challenging season for the Denver Broncos, head coach Sean Payton has rallied behind quarterback Bo Nix, who faces increasing scrutiny following two heartbreaking losses. The Broncos, having lost their last two games on the final play, now prepare to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
Nix, currently ranked 25th in the league with a QBR of 41.8, has had his performance questioned as the team’s offense struggles to find its identity. While you both have the same 37.5% tight-window completion % as Russell Wilson (t-16th), the Broncos offensive production has deeply underwhelmed. Or that they’re 27th in the league in third-down conversions. With 14—T—most in the league—they’ve become one of the most penalized offenses in the league.
Payton touched on all of these worries during a recent press conference when he downplayed the significance of Nix’s mechanics. He told the rookie quarterback to “just keep firing,” implying that remaining aggressive will be the best thing for his growth.
Nix has shown an elite potential for off-platform throws, an ability that with the right coaching can become a true contextual advantage. He just barely missed on a few would-be explosive gains in last week’s defeat at the Los Angeles Chargers. One glaring miss was an overthrow to wide receiver Courtland Sutton on a key drive in the fourth quarter.
The Broncos’ offensive issues certainly go beyond Nix’s play. They rank 20th in rushing attempts per game despite averaging a solid 129.0 rushing yards, placing them 8th in that category. This lack of continuity has prevented them from being able to carry momentum through phases of the game, particularly in clutch moments.
“Ultimately, you want to go out there and hit every single one of them,” – Bo Nix
As they prepare to face the Bengals, the Broncos must address these problems, and fast. They need to address them now, if not yesterday, if they hope to salvage their season. His head coach, Sean Payton, obviously has a lot of faith in Nix. To win his team a championship, the wide-eyed rookie will need to play to his strengths and limit the errors.
As they approach their matchup against the Bengals, the Broncos must address these issues if they hope to turn their season around. Payton’s confidence in Nix is clear, but the young quarterback will need to capitalize on his strengths and minimize errors to lead his team to victory.
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