Broncos QB Bo Nix snaps back from poor start, throws first NFL touchdown in Jets win

Bo Nix went into halftime against the Jets with negative passing yards and emerged to lead the Broncos to victory.

Rain poured on Sunday at MetLife Stadium over the first two quarters. The rookie quarterback completed 7 of 15 throws for minus-seven yards. His longest completion? Two yards. The Jets led 6-0 at the break and Nix later recalled his mentality with reporters who witnessed Denver’s gritty 10-9 comeback victory.

“At that point, it didn’t matter if the weather cleared up. I had to out there and contribute, be efficient and find ways to get us in the end zone,” Nix said. “Find ways to win the game at that point. We’re talking on the sidelines. It’s not going to be a picture-perfect game when the weather is like that. They have a good defense. You’re gonna go out there and it’s gonna be a tough game. You’re going to (need) some grit. Some discipline. Some toughness there at the end, to pull those out. That’s what we did.

“Confidence was there. We just had to find a way to make it work.”

The Broncos (2-2) couldn’t find offensive rhythm over their first eight series with seven punts and one lost fumble (running back Tyler Badie). Thankfully, the rain stopped in the third quarter, and Nix led a critical touchdown drive for the lead.

It lasted 11 plays. Nix went three for three on third downs, including a 29-yard completion to wide receiver Courtland Sutton over the middle. Another third down resulted in an 8-yard touchdown strike to Sutton; the first passing TD for Nix in his brief NFL career. Denver led 7-6 and kept their advantage after exchanging field goals with New York.

Nix did not get sacked for the second consecutive game. The Broncos also ran the football well between backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, who combined for 123 yards rushing on 25 carries.

“When it rains that, for that long period of time, it’s hard to get new dry footballs out there. But that’s how it’s gonna be. They were having to do the same thing. Usually, these weather games, they turn into run-the-football games,” Nix told reporters at MetLife Stadium. “That’s what we did in the second half. It worked in our favor. We didn’t turn the ball over and we kept throwing completions on first and second down. Then we got a few third-down completions; one being the in cut to Court there in the third quarter, which was huge. We threw the ball when we had to, and we made some connections when we had to, and that was the difference in the game.”

Coach Sean Payton never doubted the resolve of his 24-year-old quarterback. Payton has repeatedly shot down the idea that Nix has grown confidence. Payton reiterated what he’s believed since NFL draft night.

“At some point, we’ll stop with the confidence (questions). This kid is confident now,” Payton said. “I should send him out to dinner with every one of you, and you’ll see. He played well.”

Nix will aim to make it three wins in a row next week when the Broncos host the Raiders at Empower Field.

“It was huge. To go on the road and get two tough wins against two really good football teams,” Nix said. “You can’t say enough about our defense on this winning stretch. They’re going to continue to give us the ball back. Now, we’ve got to find ways to score more than just a few points. But that’s part of it. You find a way to win in this league and that’s a big day. They kept them out of the end zone, and we found a way to get in the end zone one time, and that was the difference in the game.”