September 29th 2024.
On a damp and dreary Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, the Oregon Duck, also known as Bo Nix, seemed to be struggling. His throws were erratic and slippery, causing the ball to go in all sorts of directions. It was a tough first half for Nix, who became the first NFL quarterback since 1991 to complete only three passes and end up with negative yardage. When asked if he had considered wearing a glove, Nix replied that he had never worn one before.
But here's the thing about Nix - he's comfortable in his own skin. He knows who he is as a player, even when the game seems to be mocking him. In a way, he reminds me of Tim Tebow - and that's a good thing. Through the first four games, Nix has been a bit of an enigma. But on this rainy Sunday, he made the idea of throwing the ball seem like a foreign concept. Tebow once famously won a game with just two completions, but Nix took it a step further, not completing a pass beyond the line of scrimmage until the third quarter.
Now let me be clear, Nix is not Tebow. Tim's favorite target was the ground, leaving his receivers feeling envious and confused. Nix, on the other hand, connects with his receivers, but often for short gains or no gain at all. Yet, despite the challenges he faces, Nix maintains an unshakable confidence. As right guard Quinn Meinerz put it, "He won't flinch. He doesn't flinch. It doesn't matter what the situation is."
This is where the comparison to Tebow comes in. Like Tim, Nix possesses an unwavering mental strength. He's centered and mature beyond his years. And like Tebow, Nix is deeply religious, believing in the power of faith. In fact, it seems like Nix remained blind to the odds stacked against him. In the third quarter, with the Broncos trailing 6-0 and Nix having completed only 8 of 19 passes for 16 yards, there was no hint of panic in him. He should have been sweating and feeling nervous, but when it looked like a narrow path to victory was the only option, Nix stepped up.
On a crucial third-and-11 play, Nix stood firm in the pocket and delivered a 29-yard pass to Courtland Sutton. It was a moment that seemed to release all the tension and pressure. And it was clear that Nix's teammates believed in him as well. As he said, "We know the plays are going to take care of themselves. We are all going to keep doing our job. None of us give a about the stats. All we care about is winning."
That's what it takes to be a successful quarterback in the NFL - the mental strength to stay calm under pressure and deliver in critical moments. And Nix has it. Even when it seems like the offense is struggling, he remains confident and focused. And that's exactly what happened on Sunday. Despite a slow start and a seemingly nonexistent passing game, Nix stayed the course and ultimately led his team to victory.
It wasn't pretty, but as left tackle Garett Bolles put it, "There are only ugly losses. There are no ugly wins." And that's exactly what this win felt like - not pretty, but definitely a win. The Broncos' trip through Tampa Bay, Sulphur Springs, and East Rutherford resulted in two wins and one loss, and that's something to be proud of.
Nix's performance in this game may have been more scribbles than Picasso, but his coach, Payton, still trusts him. In fact, after the game, Payton even said that he thought Nix played well, citing the terrible weather as a major factor in the low passing numbers. But behind the scenes, Payton sees a different side of Nix - one that he wishes others could see. As he explained, "I wish you guys could go out to dinner with him."
In the end, Nix's stats may not have been impressive, but he did what he needed to do to win the game. And that's all that matters. As the season progresses, Nix and the Broncos will need to find ways to improve their offense, but for now, they can celebrate this hard-fought victory. And as for Nix, he can continue to trust in himself and his abilities, just like Tim Tebow did all those years ago.
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