Sutton has been a reliable target for Nix as the Broncos have improved in the middle of the season.

When Bo Nix takes the field as the Broncos' quarterback, he doesn't let the tight coverage phase him. He has full confidence that good things will happen when he sees his star receiver, Courtland Sutton, running down the field. This has been a recurring theme in the past five weeks, and was especially evident in the Broncos' dominant 38-6 win over the Falcons last Sunday. In the third quarter of the game, Nix rolled to the right and faked a throw before launching the ball towards midfield. Sutton, known for his ability to make contested catches, did just that as he outmuscled Atlanta's cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. for the ball.

It's no coincidence that as Nix's production level has increased, so has Sutton's. After a game in which he didn't receive a single target in Denver's win over the Saints in Week 7, Sutton has emerged as one of the most productive wide receivers in the league. Nix himself refers to Sutton as a "security blanket" on the field, knowing that even when he's covered, Sutton will do everything in his power to make a play on the ball. This trust has paid off, as Sutton has racked up 28 catches for 370 yards and a touchdown in the past five games, placing him third in the league for receiving yards behind only Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase and Minnesota's Justin Jefferson.

Sutton's performance against the Falcons was just the latest in a series of impressive games for the receiver. With 78 yards in that game, Sutton has now recorded six games with 60 or more receiving yards this season. He currently sits at 647 receiving yards for the season, putting him on track to surpass last year's total by a significant margin. In fact, according to ESPN projections, Sutton is expected to reach 1,000 receiving yards this season - a feat that seemed unlikely after his slow start in the first seven weeks.

Sutton's lack of production in the Saints game, in which he didn't receive a single target, was a stark contrast to his recent performances. However, Sutton remained optimistic and focused on the team's dominant win. It's not uncommon for young quarterbacks to need time to develop chemistry with their receivers, even one as experienced as Sutton. As it turns out, that game was a turning point for Nix and Sutton, as they immediately began to click on the field in the following weeks.

Since that game, Nix has an impressive completion percentage of 73.7% and a passer rating of 112.8 when targeting Sutton, according to NFL's Next Gen Stats. These numbers are a vast improvement from the first seven weeks, during which Nix completed only 44.7% of his passes for a passer rating of 51.5 when targeting Sutton. This included three interceptions thrown in Sutton's direction. It's clear that the two have developed a strong connection on the field, and Sutton has become a reliable target for Nix, especially in man coverage.

Sutton's effectiveness in man coverage is one of the reasons why Nix has complete trust in him. According to Next Gen Stats, Sutton has 17 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns on 25 targets when covered one-on-one. Since Week 8, he has 12 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown on 16 targets in man coverage. Additionally, Sutton has been a reliable target for explosive plays, with Nix completing eight of 15 throws for 204 yards, a touchdown, and an interception on pass attempts that travel 20 or more air yards. This gives Nix a passer rating of 110.4 in those situations.

Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has high praise for Sutton, stating that when he's covered one-on-one, he's not really covered at all. He has proven to be a trustworthy target for Nix, and their chemistry continues to develop each week. Sutton speaks highly of Nix and his passion for the game, as he always has new ideas for attacking opposing defenses.

For the Broncos to continue their playoff push, they will need Nix and Sutton's connection to flourish. Sutton acknowledges that it won't be perfect every week, but they are constantly striving to improve and fine-tune their chemistry. With Sutton's impressive performances in recent weeks, it's clear that the rookie duo has the potential to make a significant impact on the team's success. Want more Broncos news? Be sure to sign up for the Broncos Insider to stay updated on all the latest NFL analysis.

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