In the latest QB Report Cards article by Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was given a D+ grade in Week 3.
It’s a low, but not entirely surprising grade for the second-year quarterback. In Week 3 against the division rival Los Angeles Chargers, Nix threw for just 153 yards on 25 attempts, scoring one touchdown. He also contributed 33 yards on the ground for Denver in eight rushes.
Nix was off target on Sunday, missing multiple passes and a couple that could have been touchdowns.
“Looks like the common thread was being a step too far and not hitting them,” Nix said to reporters after the game when asked about any common thread on his overthrown passes.
In a game that ended with a game-winning field goal for the Chargers to win 23-20, those overthrown passes were a difference maker. Instead, the Broncos fall to 1-2 through the first three weeks of the season, a disappointing start for a team with hopes of making a serious playoff push.
Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins backed up Nix’s D+ graded performance after the game, making it known the team still has his back.
“Nah, he ain't miss no throws,” Dobbins said. “He ain't miss no throws. He played a great game. We got his back. I got his back. He's a great quarterback. It's a team game. We lost. We lost as a team. It's not on him. It's not on him.”
While it’s an honorable display of leadership by Dobbins, the fact is that Nix didn't play up to par with his own standards. If the Broncos want to get back into the standings as a winning team next week, Nix needs to be better.
“I think the most important thing is we have a long season ahead of us. Instead of going back and changing things, all we can do is move forward and change it in the future and do things differently,” Nix said about looking forward to next week.
The Broncos’ Week 4 matchup provides the perfect opportunity for Nix and the team to bounce back as they host the Cincinnati Bengals, who were battered on Sunday, losing 48-10 to a Minnesota Vikings team without their starting quarterback. Both Nix and Denver fans look forward to a bounce-back performance next Monday.