Bo Nix throws two interceptions in his debut for the Broncos, prompting the CBS announcer to let out an audible “Oh no” during the loss to the Seahawks
Of the three rookie quarterbacks making their NFL debut, Bo Nix faced the most questions on Sunday.
He led a late touchdown drive to keep the Denver Broncos afloat, but otherwise provided few encouraging answers in a 26-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Nix struggled while leading a stagnant Denver offense. He was under intense pressure from an aggressive Seahawks defense that sought to unsettle the rookie quarterback. He repeatedly responded with ill-advised throws downfield that resulted in incomplete passes and two interceptions. Two Broncos drives that began in the Seahawks’ red zone ended in field goals.
Nix’s second interception elicited an audible “Oh no” from CBS’ Adam Archuleta, who realized the pass would result in a loss before Tariq Woolen intercepted it.
That interception thwarted a late comeback attempt when the Seahawks led 26-13. At the end of the day, Nix had completed 26 of 42 attempts for 138 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. His average was 3.3 yards per attempt. He added 35 yards on five carries, including a late touchdown run that cut Denver’s deficit to one point before the Seahawks’ time expired.
Missed early opportunities for the Broncos
Denver’s offense got a lead when Alex Singleton intercepted a Geno Smith pass, setting up the Broncos at the Seattle 20-yard line on the game’s first possession. The Broncos gained 3 yards and settled for a field goal for a 3-0 lead.
The Broncos went three-and-out on their next two drives before threatening a touchdown for the first time, but Nix threw the ball with his back foot into the end zone, where Julian Love intercepted the ball.
Denver’s next possession ended in a three-and-out before the Broncos were spotted on another possession that began in the red zone – this time at the 9-yard line after a botched punt return by Seattle.
The Broncos lost 2 yards on that possession and kicked a field goal. Nix was penalized for a false start on the first attempt after leaving his position under center before the snap, putting the Broncos in first-and-goal from the 14-yard line. After two runs, Nix again threw into double coverage in the end zone. This time his pass to Courtland Sutton was incomplete.
Denver’s second-half possessions consisted of three three-and-outs, a Jaleel McLaughlin fumble and Nix’s second interception before the Broncos reached the end zone for the first time on their final drive. Nix escaped pressure on a first-and-goal pass play and ran straight into the end zone.
But it was too little and too late, as the Seahawks ran out of time on their next possession.
On the day, Denver totaled 231 yards on offense and lost the ball twice. They failed to capitalize on two Seahawks turnovers and two safeties recovered by the Broncos defense. Denver converted 5 of 18 third-down attempts.
What will happen to Nix?
Nix was the sixth and final quarterback selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in April, 12th overall, out of Oregon. The selection drew criticism from analysts who questioned whether Nix was a first-round talent. The selection put pressure on second-year head coach Sean Payton, whose fate will depend on Nix’s successes and failures.
“I never felt like it was too big or confusing,” Payton said of Nix’s play after the game. “He was sharp. I thought he even extended some plays with his feet.”
“We’ll watch the tape. We have to be better around him.”
The Broncos now have a week to prepare for Nix’s home debut next Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
