Quarterback Bo Nix overthrows loom large in Broncos’ road loss at Chargers
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Bo Nix was inches away from changing the narrative.
The Broncos quarterback stood at a podium on Sunday afternoon in the depths of SoFi Stadium after a devastating 23-20 loss to the Chargers — just like a week ago — with the Broncos falling on a walk-off field goal by their opponent.
A hard truth: Nix missed deep on three passes Sunday with the potential to help reverse that trend.
“It looks like the common thread is just being a step too far,” Nix said. “And not hitting them.”
— In the second quarter, facing third-and-19, on a flea flicker call that would have scored a touchdown. Nix received the pitch back from running back J.K. Dobbins. He targeted a wide-open Marvin Mims deep downfield for a sure touchdown. But Nix overthrew his wide receiver. The Broncos punted.
— In the third quarter, nearing the red zone, on another deep ball to Mims in the end zone. Nix overshot his target, again. The Broncos settled for a 42-yard Wil Lutz field goal.
— In the fourth quarter, facing third-and-10, on Denver’s final offensive play. Nix targeted wide receiver Courtland Sutton on a vertical route into Chargers territory. Sutton dove for the catch but was unable to make it. The Broncos punted and the Chargers responded with the game-winning drive.
What happened on the last miss to Sutton?
“Coach called a play. Then Bo called it to us in the huddle,” Sutton said. “We ran out, lined up and ran it. Then we missed. Simple.”
Nix walked reporters through his version of the incompletion.
“We knew it in all of their coverages and all of their shells, we would have a chance to go step on the DBs toes and maybe outrun them. We would have a chance at least at a vertical pass,” Nix said. “That’s what we got. I thought that the opportunity was there. Courtland got outside on him and got going. Unfortunately, I just missed in front by a couple of inches. If I had to do it again, I would have taken a little bit more time. Held on to it maybe a count longer and gave him something to where he could go up for it and maybe get a pass interference.”
Nix finished the game 14 of 25 passing for 153 yards and one touchdown. Before halftime, off play action, he connected with Sutton on a 52-yard scoring play. It was the clear positive during a mixed-bag performance.
Coach Sean Payton said his message to Nix after his overthrows was to “keep slinging it” and “those are almost spot on.” But several factors can lead to a pass thrown too deep.
“It varies,” Payton said. “The route at the end is kind of like a seam. Almost a double move. … The third-and-long flea flicker was close. Sometimes, if it’s a double move (by the wide receiver), your eyes can betray you a little bit. But I thought he’s thought he’s throwing it real accurately. Putting the ball in good places. Protecting it.”
The Broncos (1-2) remain plenty confident in their starting quarterback despite consecutive brutal losses.
“He ain’t miss no throws. He played a great game,” running back J.K. Dobbins said. “We got his back. I got his back. He’s a great quarterback. It’s a team game. We lost as a team. It’s not on him. I got to make more plays for him and that’s it. … We got to make a play for him. Even if it’s not a (well) placed ball, we got to make a play. That’s what it is.”
Sutton added: “I don’t want (Nix) to ever feel the pressure of needing to be perfect for us to go out there and be successful. We all have our hand in the pot. It takes all of us to win. It takes all of us to lose.”
Nix will soon turn his attention to the Bengals (2-1) for Monday Night Football at Empower Field. But it won’t be easy to shake all the could-have-been moments from Sunday in Los Angeles. Like three deep incompletions he’ll never get back.
“It stinks. It definitely is not fun. It’s not enjoyable,” Nix said. “But all you can do is go to the next game.”
