Denver's offense remains a work in progress, even after coach Sean Payton took back playcalling duties from offensive coordinator Davis Webb. In a 23-17 win over the winless Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos went 1-of-12 on third down, gained only 224 net yards and had just one play longer than 12 yards before the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Bo Nix struggled to find his rhythm, finishing 16-of-27 for 123 yards and a touchdown. Payton is working to slow Nix's internal clock between the snap and the whistle, and he wants to improve pass protection early in games so the 26-year-old can settle in. Many observers, including former quarterbacks and ESPN analyst Chase Daniel, have pointed to Nix's footwork and his tendency to move through his progressions too quickly, before receivers are open.
The numbers reflect the struggle. Nix ranks 24th in the league in QBR (43.1), and Denver sits 29th in scoring at 18.0 points per game. Only the Arizona Cardinals have fewer plays of 20 yards or more than the Broncos' 11. Nix's 5.7 air yards per attempt ranks last among qualifying quarterbacks.
Payton has leaned into the run game, and Sunday marked the first game this season in which Denver had more rushing attempts than pass attempts. The Broncos averaged 3.7 yards per carry, and Payton believes a steadier ground attack will give Nix more freedom. Still, the Broncos are 3-2, and Payton is focused on small steps as the offense looks for the explosive plays it needs.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing