Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix was outstanding throughout October. The first-round signal-caller completed 82 of 123 passing attempts (66.6% completion percentage) for 870 yards, seven touchdowns, and just one interception. The dual-threat scrambler added 149 rushing yards and one additional score to his offensive totals.
Nix's November started poorly with a blowout defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, but current indications are that his red-hot form should continue down the stretch of the season.
The Broncos went 3-1 throughout October and currently reside in the AFC's final wild-card spot at a surging 5-4. Sean Payton’s offense averaged nearlly 28 points per contest. Nix's current form has the Broncos’ rebuild ahead of schedule as things stand.
#broncos rookie QB Bo Nix has 33 plays of 20+ yards this season. The only player with more ... Lamar Jackson.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 6, 2024
Nix was Pro Football Focus' 10th-highest graded passer (77.5) throughout October. He was tied for 14th in big-time throws with five. What was perhaps most impressive was Nix's ability to protect the football. The former Oregon standout attempted just one turnover-worthy play in four games, with a month-best turnover-worthy-play-rate of just 0.6%.
Nix's average depth of target (aDoT) was also a healthy 9.3, fifth-best among full-time starting quarterbacks. This indicates that Nix is becoming more aggressive and confident as the months progress.
Nix was also sacked just seven times in four contests despite averaging a league-high 3.41 seconds to throw. Nix scrambled on 16 occasions, trailing just Jayden Daniels and Brock Purdy for the league lead in that category. It means he’s creating off-script, and his pressure-to-sack rate was an acceptable 17.1% (12th highest) despite holding onto the football for so long.
A trick & a treat. 🎃
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 3, 2024
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/Dj3JZ6Bclu
Nix's average Expected Points Added (EPA) throughout October was a positive 4.975, according to data collected by RBSDM. That was heavily skewed by an excellent performance versus the Carolina Panthers, a blowout 28-14 win that saw Nix throw for career highs in yards (284) and touchdowns (three). His EPA per play was a positive 0.38, with a total EPA of 16.
The Broncos possess a difficult AFC West matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10. The 8-0 Chiefs haven't been as dominant as their perfect record indicates. They're fortunate to be 6-0 in one-score outings, but the expectation is that the Broncos aren't prepared to compete with the consecutive Super Bowl champions.
The schedule becomes significantly more team-friendly before the Week 14 bye. Denver's follow-up three games are versus the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and Cleveland Browns. Those are the 20th, 29th, and 18th-ranked scoring defenses respectively. Nix has already led the Broncos to a blowout win over the Raiders this season, a 34-18 victory in October that saw Nix complete 70.4% of his passes and account for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing).
Nix has flashed legitimate progress as the season's gone by. The 12th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft was particularly effective throughout October. Nix's latest performances, paired with a fairly soft schedule in November, should allow that form to be a sign of what's to come.
