DENVER — When the Denver Broncos completed out a wobbly 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive, rookie quarterback Bo Nix acknowledged the Broncos clinching the workforce’s first profitable season since 2016 and being in prime place to make the playoffs for the primary time since profitable Tremendous Bowl 50 to shut out the 2015 season.
“It speaks to our workforce,” Nix stated. “Good groups reply to days like [Sunday], playoff groups discover a method to win.”
However Nix was simply as fast to say that he should study from and enhance from of the erratic efficiency he had towards the Colts, particularly with three extra regular-season video games and possibly the playoffs approaching, because the Broncos have a 94% likelihood to qualify for the postseason in keeping with ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index.
Regardless of hitting the three-touchdown-pass mark for the third time in his younger NFL profession on Sunday, Nix threw three interceptions in a recreation for the primary time as an expert. They had been a part of a day wherein the rookie went 20-of-33 for 130 yards, his second-lowest output of the season, and the Broncos may solely muster 193 yards of whole offense.
The informal observer may have a look at the 18-point margin of victory and the 21-point fourth-quarter barrage and assume every part went nicely. However that is not the lens by way of which Nix seen his efficiency on Sunday.
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
“Not going to lie, it is robust. You begin getting in your head, begin questioning … am I truly seeing it?” Nix stated. “I really feel like everyone goes by way of it, those that can get themselves out of it, end the sport and win … that is normally once you discover some maturity, some development.
“It isn’t the primary time I’ve thrown three in a recreation … [but] hopefully it is the final.”
Nix and the Broncos’ offense must transfer on rapidly. They face the 8-6 Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night time at SoFi Stadium. Not solely would the Broncos, who’re at present within the No. 6 spot within the AFC playoff area, clinch a wild-card berth with a win, however they might put a little bit room between themselves and the Chargers, who’re within the No. 7 spot and have a earlier head-to-head win over Denver.
The primary order of enterprise heading into Thursday night time is to re-settle Nix in an offense that has seen some struggles the previous two video games regardless of Denver profitable each contests. Nix threw two interceptions in a 10-game stretch spanning Weeks 3 by way of 12 however has thrown 5 picks within the Broncos’ previous two video games.
Nix stated Sunday one of many keys might be for him to keep away from turning one mistake into a number of gaffes.
“I’ve received to be higher … regardless that is three [interceptions], you begin feeling like each time I throw it’s it going to get picked? You begin having these psychological ideas, it is difficult,” Nix stated. “It is most likely the hardest a part of taking part in the place … do not let one flip right into a false imaginative and prescient and see issues that are not truly there.”
Nix’s efficiency on Sunday was the repeat of a sample, because the interception that ended his first collection set him up for a troublesome day. That is occurred to him a couple of occasions already this season, most notably in Week 1 towards Seattle — the place an early second-quarter interception was the primary of two he threw — and in Week 9 towards the Ravens, as an interception he threw on the primary play of the sport set the stage for a 41-10 thumping by Baltimore.
NFL Playoff Machine
Simulate your personal situations and verify the newest playoff image. Playoff Machine »• Playoff image » | Standings » | Extra »
For his half, Payton stated a number of the blame for Sunday’s struggles falls on him because the playcaller. The Broncos’ run recreation was decorative at finest, with simply 9 carries by the operating backs within the first half and 49 yards speeding by three operating backs within the recreation regardless of windy situations that made passing difficult.
“I get mad at myself, couple of the calls I gave him,” Payton stated. “He had one learn that he is aware of higher, however look it was simply a kind of nights when weren’t as environment friendly, particularly towards a zone protection like that … there have been simply few pressured throws and some dumb calls by me that I’ve received to be higher.”
The Broncos and Nix should enhance, as they face a tough conclusion to their season. After the Chargers, the Broncos end off with two extra AFC opponents, Week 17 at Cincinnati (6-8) after a mini-bye and Week 18 towards AFC West champion Kansas Metropolis (13-1). Each the Chargers (No. 7 in cross protection) and Chiefs (No. 13) will current challenges to Nix and the Broncos, at 5-4 within the AFC, want extra convention wins for potential tiebreak situations.
