The Broncos, led by QB Bo Nix, have significantly improved their performance on third downs in the last three games.

For most of October, Sean Payton had been stressing the importance of his team's offensive improvement on third down. The Broncos were struggling, and not just a little bit - they were downright bad. In their first seven games, they couldn't convert more than 36% of their attempts, and their conversion rate was hovering around 26%, ranking them at No. 31 in the NFL.

But in the past three weeks, something changed for Payton's offense on the "money down." Despite not being perfect, their performance on third down during a win against Carolina and losses at Baltimore and Kansas City was really good. They managed to convert 24 out of 44 chances, giving them an impressive 54.5% conversion rate.

When asked about this turnaround, Payton attributed it to a few different factors, such as their strategy, who was executing it, and how they were protecting their quarterback. They also made some adjustments, like moving the pocket, to keep their opponents on their toes. But ultimately, Payton believes that success on third down is heavily influenced by their performance on first and second down.

For rookie quarterback Bo Nix, third down has become an opportunity to showcase his skills. In the past three games, he has completed 23 out of 29 passes for 279 yards, three touchdowns, and only three sacks. He has also used his legs to pick up first downs, although he hasn't been as successful in the past two weeks. But overall, Nix has been relying on his arm to make the plays.

While Nix has a reliable target in wide receiver Courtland Sutton, he also has another rookie to thank for his success on third down. Devaughn Vele, a seventh-round draft pick, has become a conversion machine for the Broncos. In the past five weeks, he has caught 14 passes for 176 yards, and even scored his first career touchdown against the Chiefs. Vele has quickly earned the trust of both Nix and the coaching staff, and has become a go-to option in critical situations.

But the real test for the Broncos' third-down offense will be their upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons, who have struggled on defense and are currently ranked No. 28 in third-down conversion rate. If they can continue their success on third down, the Broncos will have a strong chance of winning not just this game, but also future games. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team, and especially the rookies who have stepped up when needed.

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