This version of the Sean Payton-led Broncos doesn’t look much different without Russell Wilson under center. In fact, you can argue they look worse with Bo Nix. That’s the price you pay in turning the keys to a rookie quarterback, hoping that the ends justify the means in terms of the highs and lows.
But for that to happen, Nix will need to stop throwing the football to the other team. Stranger things have happened, and two games are way too early to give up on Nix, but the early results are plentiful and putrid.
According to The Ringer’s Austin Gayle, Nix is 11-of-36 for 212 yards and four interceptions on passes more than five yards downfield. His 30.6% completion rate on such passes is the lowest in the league by six percent and the worst figure in Weeks 1 and 2 in the last ten years.
Bo Nix is 11-of-36 for 212 and 4 picks on passes more than five (!) yards downfield.
His 30.6% completion rate on such passes is the lowest in the league by six percent AND the worst figure in Weeks 1 and 2 in the last 10 years. https://t.co/R55kLFOomT
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) September 16, 2024
Last week, Adam Archuleta’s call of Nix’s second interception in a 26-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks said it all.
*Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix lets the ball go*
“Oh no.” – Adam Archuleta
*Bo Nix pass intercepted by the Seahawks*
“You cannot attempt that pass in the National Football League and think that you’re gonna get away with it.” – Archuleta 🏈🎙️#NFL pic.twitter.com/KADtUtEDPh
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 8, 2024
And Nix’s answer to his first of two interceptions in Sunday’s 13-6 loss at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers also said it all.
CORY TRICE WITH HIS FIRST @NFL INT ‼️
📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnrEBK pic.twitter.com/Z7DDL4JCXO
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 15, 2024
After conducting a six-play, 79-yard drive in under three minutes, trying to get his Broncos within a score toward the end of the third quarter, Nix looked for Courtland Sutton in the back of the end zone. On second-and-goal from Pittsburgh’s six-yard line, the Steelers were in zone as second-year cornerback Cory Pride dropped underneath.
Nix never saw him.
In the postgame press conference, a reporter asked Denver’s rookie quarterback to explain what happened with the interception in the end zone. It doesn’t say it all as much as Archuleta did, but it perhaps gave some insight into his frustration with himself and the line of questioning.
It was a fine question, giving Nix an opportunity to explain to reporters what he saw, why it happened, and what went into his decision-making. Instead, it was reminiscent of how Taurean Prince described how Baylor was out-rebounded by Yale during the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
“Uh yeah. Um, dropped back, threw it to the other team,” he said.
Q: “Bo, can you take us through the interception in the end zone?”
Bo Nix: “Uh yeah. Um, dropped back, threw it to the other team” pic.twitter.com/eNakWpnyOr— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 16, 2024
Instead, he went with the most literal answer possible.
Yep, that’s what everyone saw, Bo.
Was it the best way to ask that question? No.
Was it better than asking, “Why did you throw that pick?” Absolutely.
While it’s clear he’s feeling the weight of his early performances and is uninterested in answering questions like unless it’s done in a literal manner, such flippant answers won’t suffice in the face of scrutiny. And neither will the level of casualness to a point of inquiry that many Broncos fans were probably wondering themselves.
