Denver Broncos’ Bo Nix Ties John Elway, Drew Lock For Rookie Quarterback Win Record

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix led the Denver Broncos to a 33-10 win over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Evening Soccer.

The previous Oregon Duck reached a significant rookie milestone on an emotional night as Denver coach Sean Payton performed his first recreation within the Superdome as an opposing head coach. Payton coached in New Orleans for 16 years and aided within the rebuild from Hurricane Katrina.

Nix has led the Broncos to a 4-3 document, their greatest document after seven video games for the reason that 2016 season. With these 4 wins, Nix tied the Broncos’ franchise document for many wins by a rookie quarterback in a season. Former Denver quarterback Drew Lock additionally reached that document in 2019. Whereas NFL legend John Elway acquired his fourth win in Week 15 through the 1983 season. Elway’s rookie season was tough, ending with a 4-7 document as a starter.

“It means rather a lot,” Nix mentioned after the win within the Superdome. “You’re speaking about one of many greats to ever do it at our group. It means rather a lot. You’re in nice firm. I’m not completed. We have now rather a lot in entrance of us, so I positively don’t need to cease there.”

Nix has an opportunity to get his fifth win, and surpass each Lock and Elway, subsequent Sunday towards the Carolina Panthers.

The Saints additionally began a rookie at quarterback, Spencer Rattler, who New Orleans drafted with the A hundred and fiftieth-overall decide within the 2024 NFL Draft.

Although this recreation was total a displaying of rookie errors from each quarterbacks, because the Broncos slowly dismantled an incohesive and harm plagued Saints group to crank out a really safe 33-10 win. This win is a constructive signal for Denver after a heartbreaking loss towards the Chargers the earlier week, which busted a three-game win streak.

In opposition to the Saints, Nix began off clunky for the Broncos’ first drive on offense. After dashing for 2 first downs for Denver, Nix threw three incompletions. Two of these incompletions had been an overthrow (to tight finish Lucas Krull) and underthrow (to former Duck large receiver Troy Franklin) by Nix, with two large open receivers unable to catch his passes.

After this drive is when Denver started to rely extra on Nix’s legs and quick passes as an alternative of lengthy targets downfield. The following two offensive drives for Denver led to discipline objectives. Javonte Williams punched in Denver’s first dashing landing through the Broncos’ first drive of the second quarter. Heading into the half with one other discipline objective underneath their belt, the Broncos had the Saints shut down 16-0.

Over the last drive of the half, Nix did try a couple of deep balls that didn’t join, however for probably the most half, Nix caught to a system of pass-offs for dashing makes an attempt, quarterback keepers, and quick passes. Nix went 13-of-21 passing for 134 yards that half, and additional displaying his largest asset is his mobility within the run recreation. Nix had zero turnovers and 0 sacks going into the lockerroom.

Additionally, a fast shoutout to Denver Bronco and fellow former Duck, Alex Forsyth. The previous star heart and chief of the Geese from 2017-2022 labored his method as much as the Broncos’ beginning heart place. Throughout the recreation vs. the Saints, Forsyth shined, giving Nix additional room within the pocket and implementing extra dashing alternatives for the Broncos. The Broncos averaged 6.4 yards per carry towards the Saints. Forsyth can also be an enormous contributor to Nix not seeing turf for a sack this recreation.

Popping out of the half, the Broncos picked up one other discipline objective after which landing within the third quarter earlier than going scoreless by way of the fourth. With rather less than seven minutes within the third quarter and on a 3rd down, Nix saved the ball for a 33-yard run for a primary down which was important for retaining the Broncos’ drive alive and was one in all his greatest performs of the sport. The analysts for the published in contrast Nix to Taysom Hill after the play. That run led to the one landing the Broncos scored within the second half.

Total, Nix ended the competition with 16-26 (61.5%) for 164 yards on passing. He went 75 yards for ten dashing makes an attempt. He ended the sport with zero interceptions and no sacks because of his offensive line and athleticism transferring out of the pocket for dashing makes an attempt.

Although with rookie rising pains, Nix helps lead the Broncos with coach Sean Payton to a 4-3 document, doubtlessly establishing the Broncos for a playoff run down the road. So long as Nix can keep wholesome and never get too banged up when hitting the bottom recreation, it must be attention-grabbing to see how this former Duck continues to develop as the primary rookie captain for the Broncos in over 50 years.

The Broncos tackle the Carolina Panthers subsequent Sunday, October 27, at house at 1:25pm PST.