Jeff Legwold
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Because the Denver Broncos' offense struggles to delay drives and rating touchdowns, quarterback Bo Nix stated Wednesday that a part of how he handles adversity is by deleting social media so he can think about options as an alternative of criticism.
The Broncos sit atop the AFC West at 8-2 and are tied for the most effective file within the NFL. However they've largely completed that by means of their protection. The offense is ranked 14th in scoring and is the second-most penalized offense within the league, and Nix is close to the underside of the quarterback rankings in accuracy.
“We make this leisure enterprise loads greater than what it's and we neglect everyone is simply out right here having time, having enjoyable, doing the most effective they'll,” Nix stated. “For me it is fairly easy, I delete my social media, I haven't got it, so except anyone says it to my face I do not actually hear it — and no person is ever daring sufficient to say it to your face. I do not get on social media.”
Nix has all the time stated he's his personal hardest critic in relation to his play. And though Nix leads the league in fourth-quarter landing passes (9) and has led the Broncos to a 4-0 file in video games they trailed firstly of the fourth quarter — together with two video games they trailed by not less than 11 factors — the offense has not discovered the consistency coach Sean Payton desires.
Nix is thirtieth amongst quarterbacks in off-target throws — 18.5% % of his makes an attempt (excluding throwaways and spikes) — and is twenty eighth in completion share (60.8%). Solely Philadelphia has had extra drives finish with three-and-outs than Denver's 28.8% — however the Eagles rating touchdowns 81% of the time within the crimson zone in comparison with the Broncos' 64.5%.
All of it has introduced extra public scrutiny Nix's manner in his second season. He stated he actually first skilled that a part of quarterback life throughout his time at Auburn.
“Went to Florida and we misplaced and that is once I bought to know the unhealthy facet of this sport,” Nix stated. “It is unlucky for certain, however on the identical time, it is what comes with the territory. It is also a present as a result of it permits different folks to see the way you reply to adversity. There's a whole lot of youthful youngsters on the market, lots of people on the market who need to be in our footwear … it is good for them to see not all the pieces is fairly, not all the pieces is happy-go-lucky.”
Payton stated Wednesday the offense's points attain far past Nix. Payton pointed to the Broncos' 52 penalties on offense (together with these which have been declined). Solely Jacksonville has been flagged extra on offense. Payton additionally famous Denver has had too many sluggish begins, scoring simply 44 first-quarter factors in 10 video games.
“For me it is fairly easy, I delete my social media, I haven't got it, so except anyone says it to my face I do not actually hear it — and no person is ever daring sufficient to say it to your face.”
Broncos QB Bo Nix
“It is our jobs, offensively, to place ourselves able of beginning sooner,” Payton stated. “I like that this yr, we're doing higher in these one-score video games, however to go the place we need to go there needs to be enchancment.”
Requested if that additionally meant adjusting some issues for Nix, Payton stated, “It is not Bo, it is a part of the entire course of offensively. Our job every week … is to seek out straightforward completions … we're continually how we are able to discover these throws.”
Nix stated he has taken the lengthy view of all of it within the pursuit of wins and Tremendous Bowl journeys, with references to scripture and private humility alongside the way in which.
“It positively would not go such as you deliberate,” Nix stated. “If it went like I deliberate, I positively would have received each nationwide championship in faculty, we'd have received the Tremendous Bowl final yr, and we might be undefeated proper now … It could be egocentric of me to assume I am owed a specific amount of respect or one thing else.
“(I need to be) an ideal teammate, being an ideal function mannequin for folks watching, and on the finish of the day you've got simply bought to do your greatest. I am proud to be on this scenario, I do know it is not straightforward, and a whole lot of issues value having in life aren't straightforward.”
