December 18th 2024.
We all know how much joy a puppy's wagging tail brings. So, let's not take that away from the little furball. Similarly, we don't want Sean Payton to put a leash on Bo Nix's potential and playmaking abilities. He needs the freedom to make plays and show off his skills.
Of course, there needs to be a balance. The coach needs to trust Nix, but also give him the space to find his rhythm again. Nix has been a standout player this season, exceeding everyone's expectations with his impressive 20 passing touchdowns. In fact, he's only the second Broncos quarterback to reach this milestone since 2014. It's safe to say, the Broncos have found their franchise quarterback and Payton made the right call in the draft. However, Nix's response to mistakes will ultimately determine how far he can take the team this season.
Speaking of which, the Broncos are just one win away from securing a spot in the playoffs. But when asked about it, Nix isn't looking at it as a make-or-break situation. He's confident in his abilities and isn't fazed by the pressure. As he casually stated, "we've got three games to win three, go to the playoffs and win the Super Bowl." Now that's a bold statement, but it's exactly why we love him. Nix's competitive fire is like an inferno, impossible to extinguish.
Some may doubt Nix, but that's at their own peril. The last two games have proven that he's a force to be reckoned with. Sure, there's a blemish on his record, but he's determined to correct it. It's just in his nature, something he's already proven in college. Let's take a closer look at the trend. While Nix has shown the ability to adapt from game to game, he needs to improve when it comes to in-game adjustments after throwing an interception. This becomes even more crucial in high-stakes games against tougher opponents.
So far, Nix has thrown 11 interceptions in six games, including one against the Chargers on Oct. 13. In those games, the Broncos have only managed a 2-4 record. On the other hand, when Nix doesn't throw a pick, they have an impressive 7-1 record. Now, some may argue that he should just avoid turnovers altogether. But as we all know, that's easier said than done. If it were that simple, Nix wouldn't be the 13th quarterback for the Broncos since Peyton Manning's retirement.
The key lies in finding his footing, both literally and figuratively, when things start going sideways. The statistics speak for themselves. In games where Nix has thrown an interception, he has completed 97 of 162 passes for 1,042 yards and five touchdowns. His touchdown-to-interception ratio is in the negative. On the other hand, in games without an interception, he has completed 200 of 305 passes for 1,930 yards and 15 touchdowns. Now that's a significant difference.
After the loss to the Steelers, Nix only threw two interceptions over a span of 10 games. However, in the last two games, he has thrown five interceptions. It's clear that there's a difference between "Bad Bo" and "The Bo Show." But as offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi puts it, there are players who can handle the pressure and bounce back from mistakes. Nix is one of them. There's never a concern about him spiraling into a slump. He's always focused on the next play.
But let's not discount the role of the Broncos' defense in their impressive four-game win streak. They have managed to force 11 turnovers, giving the team a significant advantage. However, as they gear up to face tougher opponents like the Chargers, Bengals, and Chiefs, they need Nix to rebound more quickly. It's not just about winning one game; it's about proving themselves against tougher opponents.
In the last game against the Chargers, Nix fell into some bad habits. As we all know, throwing a football starts from the ground up, and Nix wasn't consistently setting his feet, even when he had time. He also tried to do too much, which was a problem he faced during his time at Auburn. He was seen as the savior of the team and ended up getting injured and struggling on the field.
When Nix joined Oregon, his mental scars were evident in his playing style. He was scared to make a mistake, and it showed during spring practice. But his coordinator, Kenny Dillingham, who is now the head coach at Arizona State, gave him ownership of the offense. It wasn't until their opening-day loss to Georgia, where Nix finally adopted a new mindset. In his next 26 games, he threw 74 touchdowns with only eight interceptions.
Alex Forsyth, a Broncos lineman, has seen Nix's growth firsthand. According to him, Nix struggled with letting go of bad plays during his time at Auburn. But he has matured and gained more experience, which has helped him develop a more resilient mindset. In fact, during the season opener against Georgia, Nix had a rough game, throwing two interceptions. But he quickly bounced back and went on to post impressive stats in the next 26 games.
Nix is still in the process of building this resilience as a professional player. But Sean Payton isn't one to give players a lot of time. He expects them to step up and perform at their best. After a bad game, he may take some of the blame, but he won't coddle the player. However, Nix has shown the right attitude and mentality after a bad game, which is exactly what Payton wants to see.
He's not looking for a quarterback who will make him reach for the dramamine every time they step on the field. He wants someone who is mature and treats every play as the big play. And Nix has shown that he has what it takes to do just that. As Nix himself said, he's had a lot of reps at bouncing back from mistakes, and it's all about resilience and knowing that you'll get another opportunity to make it right.
That opportunity comes this Thursday in Los Angeles. The stakes are high, and a win will secure the Broncos' spot in the playoffs. But this game is about more than just one win. It's about Nix proving that he can respond to mistakes and not let them impact his performance. And based on all the evidence and experience, he's more than capable of doing just that.
As Payton said, "You are still pulling the trigger." So, let's keep the puppy's tail wagging and trust the kid to do what he does best. After all, he's already exceeded expectations this season, and there's no doubt that he'll continue to do so in the future. Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
