The Denver Broncos drafted Bo Nix with the number 12 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft in hopes of finding the franchise a spark. Since the retirement of Peyton Manning following the Broncos’ Superbowl 50 victory, they have struggled to find a winning QB. From Paxton Lynch to Russell Wilson, Denver searched high and low for their next premier QB. In his first 11 starts of his young career, it appears Bo Nix may be the captain that Denver has been searching for.
Bo Nix Leads Broncos Over .500 Through 11 Games
The Denver Broncos dominated the Atlanta Falcons, cruising to a 38-6 victory on a bright, sunny November afternoon at Empower Field. Top performances included rookie Quarterback Bo Nix’s leading charge, throwing four touchdown passes with poise and precision throughout the afternoon. A 28-of-33 effort for 307 yards marked a milestone in a young career that continues to make improvements and is turning out to be one of the rising stars in the league.
Nix was resilient in his leadership, coming back from a gut-wrenching loss to the Chiefs while leading Denver with an unmatched intensity. He threw for touchdowns that showed a mix of accuracy and versatility in finding Tight End Nate Adkins, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and a highlight-reel 41-yard pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey. The performance continued to show growth for Nix, now possessing 14 touchdown passes against just two interceptions in the past nine games.
Denver’s Offense Sparkles
An efficient Broncos offense saw Javonte Williams put the game out of reach with a bruising 14-yard touchdown run, showcasing Denver’s capability to control the ground attack. The special teams even chipped in with a perfect performance. Wil Lutz connected on a 45-yard field goal and added five extra points. Defensively, the Broncos stifled Atlanta, holding star Running Back Bijan Robinson to 35 rushing yards and pressuring Kirk Cousins with sacks from Nik Bonitto, Malcolm Roach, and Jonah Elliss.
The win brought Denver’s record to 6-5, making them a playoff contender with Bo Nix at the helm. This young quarterback, confident in command of the offense, has turned this team into one that can fight through some adversity and prosper in tough situations. The Broncos also boast a formidable supporting cast along with a rejuvenated defense, making them mentally tougher than they were a year ago. This is something Head Coach Sean Payton acknowledged with praise for their grit and resilience.
Nix and Jayden Daniels Lead Two Man OROTY Race
Bo Nix’s rise into a real contender for the NFL OROTY Award was cemented with a remarkable streak of games where his improvement and grit flashed. In his last seven games, he has thrown 13 touchdowns against only two interceptions, completing 69% of his passes. Performances like his recent four-touchdown effort against the Atlanta Falcons have let Nix shine, especially how poised and leading he can be at important times.
Bo Nix also has the ominous task of going through Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 selection by the Washington Commanders, who had been performing well all season. Daniels is known for his dynamic playmaking ability, and this season, he has been that dual-threat machine, accumulating impressive passing and rushing stats. Although Daniels leads him in total passing yards, the red-hot form and efficient touchdown production by Nix is closing the gap, making it anyone’s game for the OROTY.
With Nix mastering Sean Payton’s complicated offense, increasing composure, and building confidence, he truly can be thought of as a challenger for Daniels. The Broncos’ rookie did lead his team throughout the game in spurts with accuracy, athleticism, and flair for the clutch. As the season winds down, it would seem that the OROTY race between Nix and Daniels will come down to who can keep their consistency going to help lead the team to more wins, and each performance has the potential to swing the balance in this high-stakes competition.
Final Thoughts
The fast rise of Bo Nix over the last couple of weeks has given way to a serious campaign for the NFL Honor of Offensive Rookie of the Year. Since a slow start, Nix is now a consistent and efficient leader for the Broncos, having thrown 14 touchdown passes in his last nine games. How well he has adapted to such a complex offense and performed under pressure has made him a serious candidate for this honor.
For Nix to lock up the award, he will need to keep his level of play where it currently is and continue to lead Denver to wins as the season concludes. His development, calmness, and clutch playmaking ability might be what cements it with voters at the end. With a few games left, there is a pretty good chance that Nix can put a fitting close on his remarkable rookie year with due recognition.
