DENVER — After an initial rocky start, Bo Nix, the rookie quarterback for the Denver Broncos, is steadily making a name for himself in the NFL, achieving both accolades and victories as the weeks progress.
On Sunday, Nix delivered his finest performance to date, setting new season records with an impressive completion rate of 84.4 percent, 307 passing yards, and throwing four touchdowns. His remarkable 28-for-33 display was instrumental in the Broncos’ commanding 38-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
With a 145.0 quarterback rating, he has now joined the ranks of fellow rookie C.J. Stroud from the Texans as one of only two NFL newcomers to achieve at least 300 passing yards, four touchdowns, and a passer rating of 140 or higher in a single game.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Nix was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Month for October and received the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Week award following a loss at Arrowhead, where he outperformed star quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Week 10.
Discussions are now surfacing about his candidacy for the prestigious AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. However, cornerback Patrick Surtain II seems to believe even higher honors may be within Nix’s reach.
“I told him, ‘Man, you’re trying to win MVP,” remarked Surtain. “It’s not even looking like Offensive Rookie of the Year, it’s looking like MVP now.”
Whether or not this is an exaggeration, it certainly appears that the Broncos (6-5) may have discovered their long-sought franchise quarterback, which has been missing since the legendary Peyton Manning’s impactful four seasons in Denver from 2012 to 2015.
Since Manning’s retirement, which culminated in a Super Bowl 50 victory, the Broncos have cycled through a variety of quarterbacks, including draft picks like Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, and Drew Lock, along with free agents Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, and traded players Teddy Bridgewater and Russell Wilson. This selection of quarterbacks included only Siemian, who managed a winning record with the team.
Nix’s six victories now hold the record for the most wins by a rookie in Broncos history, surpassing the five recorded by Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983 and matched by Drew Lock in 2019.
What is currently working well for the team is the offensive strategy, which has found a strong rhythm with Nix’s precise passing and creative playcalling from coach Sean Payton. During Sunday’s game, the Broncos were able to score on six out of nine drives.
There’s little to critique given the team’s domination across all areas of the game. Offensively, they saw contributions from nine different players catching passes while six players combined for 105 rushing yards, averaging four yards per carry. Defensively, the Broncos kept Atlanta from scoring, recorded four sacks, and secured an interception, limiting the Falcons to only 4-of-13 conversions on third down. Additionally, Alex Forsyth and Matt Peart made adjustments to their positions on the left side of the kick protection unit after a troubling performance against Kansas City, and Wil Lutz successfully converted a 45-yard field goal along with five extra points.
One player whose stock is on the rise is outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, who added two sacks to his tally, bringing him to nine overall. He is now just one sack away from becoming the first Broncos defender since Von Miller in 2018 to hit a double-digit sack total.
Conversely, those who previously criticized the Broncos for selecting Nix as the sixth quarterback off the board with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 draft are likely reconsidering their opinions.
In terms of injuries, the Broncos had S Brandon Jones deactivated due to an abdomen issue but reported no significant injuries from the game.
A key statistic to note is that the Broncos currently hold a 9-0 record in games following matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs since 2019, with the exception of their final game against Kansas City in the 2021 season.
Looking ahead, the Broncos will be traveling to face the Las Vegas Raiders (2-8), who are currently on a six-game losing streak, this upcoming Sunday.