Bo Nix's NFL debut in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks produced heavy criticism online not only of himself but of coach Sean Payton , who expressed immense belief in his rookie quarterback in training camp.
The debut of Nix as a Denver Broncos player ended after he completed 26 of 42 passes for just 138 yards, consistently throwing check-down passes to average nearly 3 yards per attempt. Nix relied heavily on short, quick throws rather than taking risks downfield despite the team throwing the ball 42 times compared to Seattle, who went through the air 25 times.
Nix threw two interceptions during the game without any touchdowns. The first pick came early in the second quarter while attempting a deep ball to Courtland Sutton in the endzone. Seahawks safety Julian Love intercepted the pass, keeping the score locked at three points each.
The second turnover came in the fourth quarter on an eight-play drive down the field as the Broncos trailed by thirteen points. Nix rolled out in play-action on a bootleg to deliver a ball again intended for Sutton. He was met by a zone scheme of three defensive backs, with Tariq Woolen snatching the ball out of the air.
Nearly as soon as Nix threw the ball, the commentary booth said, "Oh, no," after being able to read the play for the interception before the Broncos star. The game ended in Denver's 26-20 loss despite a late touchdown with less than two minutes to go, and Nix became one of three QBs in NFL history with more than 42 passing attempts and less than 138 yards.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton expressed his admiration for Nix in the preseason after previously working with legendary quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. He didn't blame Nix for the team's poor play and instead pointed the blame at the players around him.
“We just got to be better around him, and that’s my impression from just watching it without looking at the tape,” said Payton. “Man, let’s help this guy,” Payton said.
The Denver coach highlighted the young quarterback's ability to make off-balance throws during training camp. He recounted a play that left a lasting impression on him in a way that no other quarterback ever did.
“Something happened with him I've never seen on film before," Payton said. "It's a third-down play. The tackles are rushing up the field and the guard is blocking the three-technique, and [Nix] slips between the guard, underneath—between the guard and the three-technique. And then climbs and throws it to a tight end. I replayed it. I said, 'I've never seen this before.'"
Nix’s passer rating in the performance was 47.5, ranking 126 of 134 all-time for a QB that's attempted at least ten passes since 2016, the last time Dever won the Super Bow l. “It was a challenge. It was a tough day," admitted Nix after the game. "They didn’t make it easy on us, that’s for sure.”
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