The Broncos have started 0-2 for the second straight year. That doesn't surprise me, as I understand that it is a young team that is in the early stages of a rebuild. I will say, though, that I am a little surprised at how this team has looked on both gamedays, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
The Broncos' offense ranks 30th in the league, averaging just 13 points per game. They also average 81.5 yards per game on the ground, which is good for 27th in the league. So, their inability to run the ball has put the Broncos in unfavorable 3rd down situations and, as a result, have only been able to convert just 23.33% of them. The Broncos also rank 3rd in the league with 77 passing attempts. So what does this all mean? It means Denver cannot establish a run game and, therefore, cannot win first and second down, forcing their young QB to make a tough throw on 3rd and long. It seems like the coaching staff gives up on the run game a little too soon, which is why, I believe, the pass attempts for Nix are so high at 77 in just two games. When facing good pass-rushing teams like the Hawks and Steelers, it is PARAMOUNT that the run game keeps the edge rushers like TJ Watt guessing play to play, or else it is going to be a long day for the line and the young QB, and that's been the case the first two games.
The team needs to establish an identity that is run first. Even if the runs aren't very successful early in the game, they just have to stick with it because it will still keep the edge rushers guessing, and eventually, it will force the opposing team to come out of 2 high safety looks, which teams have ran at 34.6% this year which is 8% more than what it was just five years ago. With teams forcing offenses to be more patient, Denver has to be just that and make a concerted effort to run the ball, and there is no reason they should be only averaging just 81.5 yards per game, especially with what was said about defenses playing the two high safety look at a more frequent rate than past seasons. Rookies are normally impatient, and they want the big play right away. That kind of mentality is going to get them in trouble when the defense is giving you a softer look. Nix is no different as his turnovers have all come on his deep throws. On throws that travel more than 20 air yards, he is 5/24 for 132 yards and has thrown all 4 of his interceptions.
Now, more about Bo Nix. When watching the games, he just looks very unsettled in the pocket. He does not plant his feet before every throw, tends to drift backward, and relies on his arm a lot as he makes a lot of throws off his back foot. There have been clips of him missing open reads, forcing balls into tight windows, and staring down defenders. These mistakes don't worry me just yet because those errors scream "rookie" to me, so I won't overreact just yet, but I hope to see some improvement in that department in the next couple of games. What I am a little worried about, even this early, is his footwork. He has been in college for 5 years and footwork is one of the most fundamental things about playing QB so he should look more polished than he is right now in terms of his mechanics.
My final gripe has been the lack of playmaking around him. I already touched on the run game, so now I am going to focus on the pass catchers. Watching the game, it feels like the receivers don't get yards after catch. They go down on the spot that they catch it. They also have had trouble with drops when Nix has been able to deliver the ball on target. Denver may have to consider using Marvin Mimms more in the offense, and it might be time to give Troy Franklin some playing time because right now, this team looks like they lack playmakers outside the numbers. Allowing Nix to throw to his college teammate may settle him down a bit because familiarity matters especially for a young QB. Look at what Burrow and Jamar Chase did down in Cincy in Jamar's rookie season.
With the defense playing well, can the offense catch up and help them out? It has to start next week In Tampa Bay against a red-hot Bucs team that has started 2-0.
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