Sep 8, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was generally pleased with the performance of rookie quarterback Bo Nix after watching film of the team’s 26-20 loss at Seattle on Sunday.
It’s the group around Nix that he says needs to perform better.
“I think when I watch this video offensively, we have to be better around him, and we will be,” Payton said Monday.
Nix completed 26 of 42 passes for 138 yards and did not score a touchdown, although he was intercepted twice. He scored the Broncos’ only touchdown on a 4-yard scamper in the fourth quarter to cut the Seahawks’ lead to six points.
The fact that Nix led the Broncos with 35 rushing yards was at the heart of Payton’s struggles. Running backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin combined for just 50 yards on 18 carries.
Payton’s game plan was to run the ball effectively to keep Nix in manageable long-range play situations. However, with the inability to establish the run, coupled with falling behind on multiple touchdowns in the second half, Nix was forced to throw against the Seahawks’ secondary.
“I said it yesterday and I’ll say it again. One of the key things that was important in this game is winning the ground game battle, and we weren’t able to do that,” Payton said. “We struggled and that inefficiency on first and second down was one of our keys to winning and we didn’t do it.”
Of Nix’s 138 passing yards, 54 came on the Broncos’ final two drives, when Denver trailed by 13 points. One drive ended in an interception, while Nix punctuated the other with his touchdown run.
“Certainly when we look at the game film and evaluate the cleat, there are a number of things we cleaned up and corrected,” Payton said.
The Broncos’ second-year coach said the pass protection and run blocking “weren’t good enough,” while pointing to several missed reads on the running lanes that were available. Payton also said Nix was hampered by multiple drops by his receivers.
“There might be a game where we plan on throwing the ball 40 times, but not that many. A lot of times, time of possession and runs in the fourth quarter, if you’re up by 10 or more, can tilt a little bit in your favor, but this is the game where it’s the opposite,” Payton said. “You have to throw the ball to get back in the game at the end.”
The Broncos emerged from the game largely healthy, and Payton said X-rays and an MRI for a leg bruise on offensive tackle Garett Bolles came back negative.
–Field level media
