Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos enter this week at 4-2, but the winning record has done little to hide an offense that has struggled to move the ball. With a road game against the Arizona Cardinals ahead, Denver is looking for its quarterback to help spark a turnaround.
Key takeaways
- Denver is 4-2 despite ranking near the bottom of the NFL in total offense, passing production and rushing efficiency.
- Nix said he must improve and believes he can overcome situations that have put the offense in trouble.
- Offensive coordinator Davis Webb said the second-year quarterback has accepted responsibility and is prepared to “go on a little run.”
- The Broncos have produced only 230 passing yards combined in consecutive victories over the Chargers and Seahawks.
- Arizona brings a defense ranked 31st in scoring defense, creating a key opportunity for Denver’s offense.
Denver needs more from Nix
The Broncos are averaging 252.2 yards per game, the NFL’s 31st-ranked figure, and their 4.4 yards per play also rank 31st. Denver is 28th in passing yards per game at 168.0, while its third-down conversion rate of 31.6% ranks 30th.
The running game has provided little relief. Denver is averaging 3.4 yards per carry, 30th in the league, while Nix and the passing offense are generating 5.3 yards per attempt, ranked 29th. The Broncos are the only NFL team in 2026 below both 5.5 yards per pass attempt and 3.5 yards per rush.
Nix addressed his own role in the offensive slump this week, saying he needs to provide more answers when the unit falls behind schedule.
“I have to play better,” Nix said Wednesday. “I feel like I can overcome some of the stuff that is putting us in a bad spot.”
He has largely dismissed the idea that his ankle issue is the main reason for his uneven start. Nix has instead pointed to Denver’s ability to win games even without consistent quarterback production.
That was evident in the Broncos’ last two victories. Denver beat both the Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks, but Nix did not reach 125 passing yards in either game and totaled 230 passing yards across the two contests.
Webb sees a chance for a late-season surge
Webb said Nix’s public response to the team’s offensive issues was encouraging, particularly because the quarterback accepted blame while continuing to support his teammates.
“I think he’s in a good spot,” Webb said Thursday. “I think yesterday he handled media really good. You know, took a little bit of accountability, backed up his teammates, and I think he’s ready to go on a little run.”
The coordinator pointed to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence as an example of a player who recovered from an early-season lull. Lawrence opened slowly during the 2025 season in Liam Coen’s offense before finding his rhythm down the stretch, carrying that momentum into the following year.
“I think Trevor Lawrence did something similar last year,” Webb said. “He had a great end to his campaign last year and it’s kicking into this year. He’s doing a great job, and hopefully Bo can follow that trend.”
Nix will get a favorable matchup in Arizona. The Cardinals are allowing 29.7 points per game, ranking 31st in the NFL, and they are 30th in yards allowed per play at 6.0. Their 350.5 yards allowed per game rank 23rd.
For Denver, the trip to the desert offers a chance to pair its strong start in the standings with a more functional offense. If Nix and the Broncos remain stuck in their current rut, however, the scrutiny around the quarterback and the unit will only intensify.
