ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Bo Nix is off to a historically slow start to his NFL career just two games into his time with the Denver Broncos.
During Sunday’s 13-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the No. 12 overall pick became just the second player since 1970 to throw at least two interceptions and no touchdown passes in each of his first two games.
Nix’s four interceptions is tied with Indianapolis Colts‘ quarterback Anthony Richardson for the most in the NFL.
Despite that, Sean Payton remains confident in his rookie quarterback, once again stating the team needs to be better around Nix.
“I thought he processed pretty quickly yesterday. I thought he got into some of his progressions really well. At the line, he’s in charge of a handful of things and I would agree with him when I watch the tape,” Payton said, stating he agrees with Nix that the rookie quarterback took a positive step from Week 1 or Week 2. “I felt like we saw steps and again, I think someone asked me after the game relative to his confidence, I feel a confident player. I think from that standpoint, I’m encouraged.”
After digesting the tape of Sunday’s loss—where the Broncos failed to score at least seven points for the first time since Kendall Hinton and Phillip Lindsay played quarterback for the team in Week 12 of the 2020 season—Payton went out of his way to identify two of the most concerning parts about Denver’s 0-2 start. Neither had to do with the rookie signal caller.
“The concerning thing for me is the rushing game and then the rushing numbers defensively,” the head coach said, when asked about what the team can learn from last year’s slow start. “Those have to switch, or you’re just going to be playing behind the eight ball.”
As much as Nix has struggled through the air, Denver’s ground game has arguably been even worse.
Nix became the first quarterback since 1950 to lead his team in rushing in each of his first two games. The unfortunate part for Payton’s rushing attack is Nix leads the team with 60 total rushing yards.
Through two games, Javonte Williams only has 40 combined rushing yards, Jaleel McLaughlin has only 33 rushing yards, Tyler Badie has 16 yards and Audric Estime has 14 yards.
Williams and McLaughlin, Denver’s top two backs, are averaging a combined 2.28 yards per carry.
“I’d say it’s probably a collection of all of us,” Payton said on Monday, when asked how Williams can get going on the ground. “Let’s start with design and scheme, and then let’s get into some execution. I just finished looking at a play that he gained three yards, and it really should be a gain of seven yards. How are we blocking the backside of this? Do we need to clean that up? He misses a cut or two in the game. We need to make sure we get his eyes where they need to be.”
“In other words, having coached that position before, it’s very easy to overcoach,” the head coach continued. “Where’s your key? There’s usually one defensive player that you’re keying on. Then he can predicate or dictate your cut. I saw it in training camp. I look forward to seeing it this season. In the meantime, some of these other guys are doing a good job. Jaleel is another one that needs more touches. We talked about Tyler Badie earlier. You’re patient, and yet at some point—and it starts up front obviously—you want to see those runs.”
Speaking of up front, Payton said the pass protection and run blocking by the offensive line has been “inconsistent” to start the season.
“There are times we’d do a pretty good job and there are times we’re either allowing penetration or getting beat maybe right at the snap,” he added. “We’ve got to be more consistent. I think that’s the one thing that you’d definitely take away from it.”
On the other side of the ball, Denver held the Steelers to just 13 points and is giving up only 19.5 points per game so far. Yet Payton hasn’t been pleased with the Broncos’ ability, or inability, to stop the run.
Through the first two weeks of the season, the Broncos’ have allowed an average of 143.5 yards per game on the ground. That puts them in the bottom 10 in the NFL. In fact, they’ve given up more yards on the ground than they have through the air (134).
While Denver’s defense kept the Seattle Seahawks and Steelers off the scoreboard, they haven’t kept opposing teams from racking up yards on the ground.
For the Broncos to not get behind the eight ball—in games and with their record—they need to begin winning on the ground. On both sides of the ball.
