How the Seahawks wrote the 'Book on Bo' Nix | Mike Sanford's Coach's Corner

Mike Macdonald has authored one game plan as an NFL head coach.

Sunday against the Broncos, the Seahawks coach wrote the "Book on Bo."

Macdonald’s influences include mentors Rex Ryan, Dean Pees and Jim Johnson. Each had his fingerprints on Seattle’s dynamic performance against Bo Nix and the Broncos' offense.

Macdonald’s plan recognized Nix’s mental and physical gifts — and attacked both. The Broncos quarterback will have better days and opponents who aren’t as advanced as Macdonald.

It is well-documented within football circles that Nix, the 24-year-old out of Oregon, is maniacally diligent in his preparation. For that reason, Nix has been a favorite of every coach he’s had since starting varsity an eighth-grader in Alabama. Macdonald knew Nix would study every stitch of film from Macdonald’s recent stops. He knew the studious quarterback would work overtime to have a counter for every front, coverage and blitz in Macdonald’s portfolio.

Macdonald was right.

Here’s the mental aspect:

In Sean Payton’s famously sophisticated offense, the quarterback position is tasked with myriad pre-snap responsibilities at the line of scrimmage — both in the run game and pass protection. On the opposite side, Macdonald is known NFL-wide as constantly growing his own bag of pressure packages, fronts and coverages. The Seahawks threw the proverbial kitchen sink at the quarterback and forced the rookie into a chess match before the snap.

An NFL debut is one thing. An NFL debut against Macdonald is a whole different animal.

Macdonald’s response was to overpopulate the line of scrimmage with linebackers, standing defensive linemen and defensive backs. That forced Nix to do what Nix does well: get rid of the football astoundingly quick. And he did — with 138 passing yards on 42 attempts, a measly 3.3 yards per attempt. Macdonald forced Nix’s hand, quite literally.

And the physical aspect:

Macdonald meticulously studied Oregon film, Senior Bowl practice film and two preseason data points that led to a single conclusion: Nix is remarkably accurate vs. zone coverage in the short-to-medium areas of the field. While he had already won the pre-snap chess match, Macdonald then won the post-snap battle in decisive fashion. Seattle knew its pressure looks would force the rookie quarterback into immediate relief with quick, short throws.

Therefore, Seattle had defenders consistently in position to make tackles for 2-, 3- and 4-yard gains. It’s not a new football strategy. But Macdonald’s “match zone pressure” package combines the best elements of blitzes, zone coverages and man-to-man coverages. It was the perfect plan for the opener. It was the perfect plan facing a rookie quarterback. And in a loud building like Lumen Field, it was the perfect plan against Denver’s personnel on offense.

OK, one more feather in Macdonald’s cap: Seattle knew a young quarterback’s best friend is a great running game — and the play-action and boots that come with it. The Seahawks also knew Payton, an offensive guru, would choose to run it early and often to give Nix a crutch.

By junking up its defensive fronts and “kitchen sinking” its defensive looks, Seattle limited Denver’s running backs to only 3.2 yards per carry. Macdonald knew that Payton would not want to pound his play-calling head against a wall for four quarters. He tested Payton’s patience — and he was right again. Payton called 49 designed passes to only 20 true runs.

Macdonald’s “Book on Bo” will be a best-seller for future Broncos opponents. The last thing you want from a rookie quarterback is nearly 50 pass plays. That’s what Seattle forced from Nix.

Fear not, Broncos Country. Nix can run, shown in a 23-yard scramble in which he reached 20.05 MPH, per NexGen stats. And Nix is pin-point accurate, shown in 61 college starts.

Nix also accomplished what fellow rookie Caleb Williams could not. He led a touchdown drive.

The Seahawks penned the "Book on Bo" as early as can be in a quarterback's tenure: win the pre-snap mental battle, force Nix to throw quick, eliminate space for those quick throws, test Payton's patience and maintain your edges.

What's next for Nix?

Now it’s time for Payton, Nix and the Broncos offense to write its rebuttal.

Mike Sanford coached at Stanford, Notre Dame, Boise State, Western Kentucky, Minnesota and served as the interim head coach at Colorado in 2022. The Erie resident is a regular on Altitude Sports Radio. His weekly "Coach's Corner" will run in The Denver Gazette after Broncos games.