Denver Broncos Win Again on Strong Defense While Quarterback Bo Nix Struggles

The Denver Broncos hold a four and two record after a seventeen to fourteen overtime win against the Seattle Seahawks, relying heavily on their defense while their offense continues to struggle. Vance Joseph leads the defensive unit, which came through despite missing star cornerback Pat Surtain the second and starting safety Talanoa Hufanga due to ankle injuries.

Offense Struggles

Quarterback Bo Nix threw for one hundred and seven yards against Seattle, matching his seventeen completions with seventeen quarterback hits allowed by the team. No pass traveled more than eight yards past the line of scrimmage, and Nix ran four times for a total of two yards. Nix admitted he does not understand why the team cannot push the ball down the field or find explosive plays. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey pointed out that Denver faced a tough opening schedule that included the unbeaten forty-niners and Chiefs, along with the Jaguars, Rams, and Seahawks.

Defensive Highlights

Nickelback Ja'Quan McMillian made key plays by recording a sack on the first drive and an interception in overtime that set up Wil Lutz's game-winning field goal. McMillian now has three multi-sack seasons, tying the fourth-most by a cornerback in NFL history, and his nine career sacks rank fourth-most ever by an undrafted cornerback. Teammate Nik Bonitto praised McMillian for consistently making big plays. Meanwhile, twelve different Broncos players hit quarterback Sam Darnold, tying a franchise record and matching the most by any NFL team over the past twelve years.

Context

Football teams often rely on strong defensive units and special teams to win close matches when their offensive playbook hits a rough patch. The Broncos now have a long weekend off to rest physically and mentally before traveling to face the Arizona Cardinals on October twenty-fifth.