Bo Nix is a very different quarterback now compared to the first time he faced the Indianapolis Colts.
The Denver Broncos rookie quarterback made his NFL debut against the Colts in the team’s first preseason game back in August. Nix performed very well in the game, completing 15 of 21 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown in the first half of the game.
A scheduling quirk has the two teams facing each other again in the regular season on Sunday. The Week 15 game has major playoff implications for the Broncos (8-5) and the Colts (6-7) as the two teams try to take another step toward securing a postseason berth.
Nix, who has started in every game during the regular season, has improved dramatically since that preseason game. The Broncos have won three consecutive games and Nix has completed 70% of his passes while throwing for 874 yards with seven touchdown passes and two interceptions during the winning streak.
“He’s been doing a hell of a job,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters on Tuesday. “He’s playing really good ball right now. I think the biggest thing (is) he’s throwing the ball accurately, and he’s making a lot of plays with his legs and creating.”
There are similarities between Nix and Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. Both are dual-threat quarterbacks.
Nix has used his legs to scramble, extend plays and gain positive yardage consistently during the season. He has run 67 times for 304 yards and four touchdowns. Richardson can also scramble and extend plays, but Steichen calls more designed runs for the second-year quarterback. Richardson has carried the football 70 times and rushed for 383 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.
“[He can make anything work](https://www.colts.com/news/shane-steichen-gus-bradley-jaylon-jones-colts-preparation-broncos-rookie-qb-bo-nix-week-15) with his feet and his arms,” Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones told Colts.com’s Amanda Foster. “Definitely a quarterback that’s upcoming in this league – I mean, he’s putting it on display right now.”
Nix’s continuing improvement has helped the Broncos make a serious run toward their first playoff berth since the 2015 season. A win by the Broncos would move them two games clear of the Colts for the seventh and final playoff spot.