NFL preseason takeaways: Bo Nix makes strong case to be Broncos starter

Week 2 of the preseason wrapped up on Sunday, with the Denver Broncos knocking off the Green Bay Packers, 27-2, while the San Francisco 49ers topped the New Orleans Saints, 16-10.

Here are four takeaways from the action.

Bo Nix makes impressive case to be Denver Broncos starter

In what's likely his final in-game audition for the starting job, Nix put his best foot forward against the Packers. The rookie led two scoring drives (10 points), finishing 8-of-9 for 80 yards and a touchdown pass.

Behind an effective rushing attack and solid offensive line play, Nix demonstrated poise in the pocket, aside from a poor decision to throw well past the line of scrimmage on a third down, taking away a would-be touchdown on the opening drive. Otherwise, the rookie was sharp, making the right read more than not while racking up several highlights, including a 23-yard connection with wideout Courtland Sutton, setting up a touchdown pass to Tim Patrick two plays later.

For the preseason, Nix has gone 23-of-30 for 211 yards and two touchdowns while leading the Broncos to points on six of seven drives.

Brock Purdy struggles without starters

Purdy saw action on the first three drives of the night, yielding little success. With most of the team's starters sitting this one out, he never found much of a rhythm taking on the Saints' first-team defense.

While second and third-stringers struggled to break open, Purdy looked indecisive, making several errant throws, one of which should have been an interception. All three drives he led ended with punts as he finished the night 2-of-6 for 11 yards (1.8 YPC).

Considering the circumstances, Purdy's performance isn't a reason to panic. But, as preseason games grow increasingly irrelevant for no-doubt starters, it's worth asking why the team thought putting him in a vulnerable position to fail was a good idea.

The Broncos defense is looking tough

Denver's defense finished 29th in the NFL last season, but this year's unit, albeit in preseason, looks like a completely different group.

In the first half, the Broncos defense silenced the Packers offense, which was ineffective at best, held to 2.7 yards per play (five drives), recording only 69 yards while finishing 2-of-6 on third down. Meanwhile, the Broncos youngsters made plays, like rookie edge rusher Jonah Elliss, who, after picking up a sack in Week 1 of the preseason, pressured Green Bay QB Sean Clifford, leading to safety Keidron Smith's second pick in two weeks.

The Saints may have found a gem in an undrafted defensive back

For the second straight week, rookie Rico Payton made an impact on the Saints' defense. After finishing Week 1 with four pass breakups while earning the second-highest grade (91.7) among rookies, per Pro Football Focus , he was impressive Sunday against the 49ers.

Payton finished with one solo tackle, and thanks to outstanding coverage, only one pass came his way, which he easily defended. Making the 53-man roster is far from guaranteed for the 24-year-old, who went undrafted out of Pittsburgh State, but he's made one heck of an argument.