Bo Nix has struggled a bit in 2025, but history suggests he and the Denver Broncos are ready to burst onto the scene very shortly. Many fans haven’t been thrilled to see the inconsistent offense in Denver through the first three games, and the frustration is understandable. Expectations were high entering the season, and the early returns have been underwhelming.
Even the defense hasn’t been great. It’s another slow start for this team, and that has become a recurring theme in the Sean Payton era. His Broncos teams have started 0–3, 1–2, and 1–2 across the first three games in the past three seasons. However, it’s worth noting that both the 2023 and 2024 Broncos finished strong, going 8–6 and 9–5 over their final 14 games, respectively. That pattern offers hope that this team knows how to rebound — and that the early-season struggles may not define their year.
There is reason to believe that Denver is going to turn things around, and specifically, second-year quarterback Bo Nix could be on the cusp of breaking out. While his performances so far have been uneven, the flashes of talent are there. Nix has shown the ability to make big throws, extend plays, and lead scoring drives when the offense clicks. The challenge now is consistency — something that often separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
Bo Nix was simply on fire in October and November of 2024, and that level of play could continue into 2025 if the Broncos can stabilize their offensive line and get their playmakers involved. During that stretch last season, Nix demonstrated poise, accuracy, and leadership, helping the Broncos climb back into playoff contention. His numbers from that eight-game run were impressive:
- Record: 5–3
- Completions/Attempts: 176/261 (67.4%)
- Passing Yards: 1,888
- Touchdowns: 15
- Interceptions: 2
- Passer Rating: 104.4
If those stats were averaged over a full 17-game season, Nix would have been on pace for 32 touchdowns against just seven interceptions — elite production by any standard. That kind of performance is exactly what Denver needs to get back on track.
The Broncos still have one more game in September, and it’s against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite their 2–1 record, the Bengals aren’t nearly as strong as the standings suggest. Their defense ranks near the bottom of the league, and they’re currently missing star quarterback Joe Burrow due to injury. This presents a prime opportunity for Denver to secure a win and enter October with a 2–2 record — a much more manageable position heading into the heart of the season.
Looking ahead, the Broncos have several winnable games on their schedule over the next two months. They’re a better, more complete team than they were at this point in 2024.
The offensive line has improved, the receiving corps is deeper, and the coaching staff has had another offseason to refine the system. Additionally, key defensive players like Malcolm Roach and Dre Greenlaw could return in the coming weeks, providing a much-needed boost to a unit that has struggled to generate pressure and stop the run.
Sure, I might have my orange-colored glasses on, but the Broncos could be on the cusp of something special. If Bo Nix can settle in and lead with confidence, and if Sean Payton can rally his team as he’s done in past seasons, Denver might just surprise the league — again.