The Denver Broncos downed the Las Vegas Raiders 10-7 on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 10. Although 8-2, talking heads have been picking apart the Broncos’ offense.
That said, there’s been no fall off with quarterback Bo Nix in Year 2. The question is whether or not Nix will rise to the level of a franchise quarterback before the playoffs. It’s a subtle shift. And it’s the difference between Kirk Cousins and Joe Burrow.
Bo Nix Is a Question Mark Headed Into the Playoffs
It’s too early to tell what Nix is. For reference, it typically takes two full seasons. Through 27 starts, though, Nix is 18-9. He has four three-plus touchdown games, four come-from-behind wins, and 21 total touchdowns to eight interceptions. In his past five games, Nix has 12 total touchdowns to four interceptions, although those four turnovers occurred within the last three games. Albert Breer believes there’s no discernible weakness on the Broncos.
There’s a lot to like about Nix. The question becomes, are the past two games growing pains or Nix reaching his ceiling? In the past two games specifically, Nix has had consecutive sub-70 passer ratings. Against the Houston Texans’ defense in Week 9 is forgivable, but Nix and Co. were supposed to exploit the matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 10.
The Broncos’ offense played with their food. After a blocked punt that gave the offense starting field position on the Raiders’ 12-yard line, the Broncos netted -2 yards and kicked a field goal. Also, after an interception to set up a short field, the Broncos punted. Since Nix is in his developmental stages, we’ll know more by the end of the season. For now, the football cognoscenti will continue to microanalyze every new data point on the small sample size.
Breer said, “Those two losses are not bad losses. They lost by the skin of their teeth to the Los Angeles Chargers on a hero play by Justin Herbert. And then they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. You guys remember that leverage penalty. If it weren’t for that leverage penalty, now they’re 9-1. … There isn’t a discernible weakness on their team. The question is whether they’re gonna be able to keep up with some of the more high-powered teams.”
Talk about a segue; that’s a great question from Breer that’ll get answered in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
