Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
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Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos warms up before facing the Indianapolis Colts.
Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos are catching a break, perhaps when they need it most, coming off a disappointing loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. In Week 4, the Broncos will officially not have to face Joe Burrow when they host the Cincinnati Bengals.
Burrow went on injured reserve with a foot injury that will not only knock the $275 million QB out through the Broncos game, but for at least three months.
The Broncos will still need better from Nix, even without Burrow looming large.
Bad Bo Nix Metrics Loom Large for Broncos
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
If the Broncos are going to win as many games as they expect this season, Nix must be better than what he has shown over the first two weeks of the season.
However, advanced metrics from The Athletic’s Ben Baldwin highlight Nix’s underachievement.
“Still early but Bo Nix has enjoyed the best pass protection in the league so far (again), but is the lowest-graded QB on the season by a very healthy margin,” Baldwin posted on X on September 16, along with graphics depicting as much.
The second-year passer has completed 67.1% of his passes for 382 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. That is notably better than his 384-0-4 line on 59.7% completion over his first two NFL starts as a rookie.
One key difference for Nix and the Broncos is that Nix is not running the ball like he did early on in his rookie season. He had nine carries for 60 yards and 1 TD in two weeks then.
Nix has rushed 11 times for 38 yards through two games in 2025.
Some of that is by design. The Broncos retooled their backfield during the offseason, drafting RJ Harvey in the second round and signing J.K. Dobbins in free agency. Denver’s new duo has combined for 217 yards and 2 TDs on 41 carries.
The Broncos rank 10th in team rushing yards and eighth in yards per attempt. Nix must step up in the passing game to elevate his metrics and keep the Broncos in the win column.
Former Broncos QB Brett Rypien Signs With Upcoming Opponent
Brett Rypien, Denver Broncos
GettyBrett Rypien #4 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Bengals had to add a quarterback with Burrow out until at least January, and they turned to a familiar face for the Broncos, Brett Rypien, whose last snap with the franchise came in 2022, signing him to their practice squad.
Rypien was an undrafted free agent who spent three seasons with the Broncos from 2020 through the 2022 campaign, going 2-1 as a starter.
He had a 778-4-8 line on 61.5% completion in eight appearances with the Broncos.
The Bengals figure to start incumbent Jake Browning, not Rypien, in Burrow’s stead when they visit the Broncos. Browning, 29, has thrown for 2,177 yards, 14 TDs, and 10 INTs on 69.8% completion, and he is 4-3 as the Bengals’ QB1 in his career.
Nix might not be able to get away with a mediocre outing, given the Bengals’ weapons, specifically at wide receiver, and the Broncos’ early porousness on defense.
Broncos Face Big Test in Week 3
Justin Herbert, Jim Harbaugh, Denver Broncos
GettyJustin Herbert #10 and Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh embrace before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Before the Broncos take on the Bengals, they will face the Los Angeles Chargers on the road in Week 3. That is as daunting a challenge as any, since the Chargers are 2-0 on the season and are coming off a 20-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Justin Herbert threw for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns in that game, though the Raiders also sacked him twice.
Still, the Broncos have not beaten the Chargers with Jim Harbaugh as head coach.
The second matchup of last season featured an opportunity to secure a playoff spot, but Nix and the Broncos came up short, settling for a Wild Card berth when all was said and done. Week 3 offers their first chance at redemption.