Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix enjoyed a terrific season at Oregon last year that almost won him the Heisman Trophy. In addition to completing 77.4 percent of his throws (an NCAA single-season record), he also threw 45 touchdown passes and only three interceptions.
However, this statistic will show you how different things are once these players get to the professional level. In just two NFL games, Nix has already thrown more interceptions than he did all of last season.
Bo Nix on his interception in the end zone: pic.twitter.com/iPuYH707fD
— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) September 16, 2024
In attempting 470 passes last season with the Ducks, Nix threw it to the other team just three times. With just 77 attempts in the NFL, four of them have landed in the wrong hands. That is simply astounding. Take a look at this comparison:
| Bo Nix, Year | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Passing Yards | TDs | Interceptions | Rating |
| Oregon, 2023 | 364 | 470 | 77.4 | 4,508 | 45 | 3 | 188.3 |
| Denver, 2024 (2 games) | 46 | 77 | 59.7 | 384 | 0 | 4 | 47.5 |
One of the interceptions on Sunday took place on the last play of the game with Nix just trying to make something happen, so you can't fault him too much for that one. But this one, which he threw in the end zone, was the biggest play in this game.
It's a small sample size and there is gigantic room for improvement, but so many fans felt that Nix would jump right into the NFL and take off from where he left off in college. That was just a tad off.
Nix is gaining invaluable experience and as many Broncos fans will point out, things started quite poorly for John Elway when he was a rookie too. But in comparison, the other two first-round quarterbacks who have seen the field this season — Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels — have looked much more comfortable in running their offense than Nix. They have also each already won a game, too.
Bo Nix could take a lot more lumps this season
After already losing to the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers, things are not about to get any easier for the Broncos. Here is a look at their next six games:
Week 3 at Tampa Bay
Week 4 at N.Y. Jets
Week 5 vs. Las Vegas
Week 6 vs. L.A. Chargers
Week 7 at New Orleans
Week 8 vs. Carolina
Based on the results of the first two weeks of this season, that doesn't look like a friendly schedule. Nix could be in for a season that is vastly different than the one he most recently enjoyed in college.
MORE BRONCOS CONTENT
Sean Payton makes an incredibly bad decision near end of Week 2 loss
Broncos Week 2 winners and losers
Drew Brees chimes in on Bo Nix's first career start
