Bolts From The Blue
The Broncos are feeling much better about their offense since things began to click for rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
This week, we were joined by Ian St. Clair of SB Nation’s Denver Broncos community, Mile High Report, to preview this week’s game between the Broncos and Chargers.
Let’s go ahead and dive right in!
1.) This Broncos team looks like a much-improved unit compared to the one that faced the Chargers in the first matchup between these two. What are the biggest differences between the one that lost to the Chargers and fell to 3-3 and this one that’s currently a higher seed in the AFC playoff picture?
Unfortunately for the Broncos, one aspect from that Week 6 matchup is still lingering: slow starts. That was the reason Denver lost that game to the Chargers and still is an issue, as we witnessed in the win over the Indianapolis Colts. It’s great to know that this Broncos team is resilient and never feels like they’re out of a game, but this trend cannot continue against good teams like LA. The biggest difference between that game and this one is the confidence Denver has — in all three phases. The Broncos know they can beat any team in the NFL when they play their game. That wasn’t the case in Week 6 when Denver was still getting to this point. The offense is more dynamic, thanks to Bo Nix (the win over the Colts notwithstanding). The defense is one of the best in the NFL in all statistics, and it’s capped with a really good special teams unit. There is also a belief in Sean Payton and what this team is capable of accomplishing.
2.) Bo Nix had a rough beginning to his NFL career but now looks like a seasoned vet playing complementary football with his elite defense. What are his strengths thus far as a rookie and where would you like to see him improve further?
Nix is extremely confident, but not to the point of arrogance or cockiness. The game is slowing down for him, but there are still areas for improvement in that regard. His accuracy is getting better, as well as his footwork. Nix is becoming a complete QB. The areas where he can improve further is remaining calm when defenses give him new looks. The Colts defense gave him fits in that regard and he needs to expect that now going forward. Dive into the tape with his coaches and ask questions. Those mixed looks forced him into some bad reads and throws that led to interceptions. Nix and Sean Payton need to take some shots downfield with Marvin Mims, as they did in the win over the Cleveland Browns. That needs to be in the mix for Thursday’s game and going forward. Nix also must trust his offensive line a little bit more. Those looks from the Indy defense had him seeing ghosts in the pocket.
*The other factor at play is something Nix...
