Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix struggled for most of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, throwing a career-high three interceptions.
Nix and the Broncos were able to overcome those turnovers — thanks in large part to five takeaways of their own — in an eventual 31-13 win. Following the game, coach Sean Payton had a somewhat surprising reaction to Nix’s interceptions, taking some of the blame on himself.
“Listen, I get mad at myself,” Payton said when asked about Nix’s interceptions. “A couple of the calls I gave him. He has one read that he knows better. It was just one of those nights where we weren’t as efficient, especially against a zone defense like that. You’re not going to hit as many big plays.
“I think early on he was like 6-for-8, but then there were some forced throws and then a few calls that were dumb by me. I have to be better.”
Nix obviously needs to make better decisions and more accurate passes, but Payton acknowledged that his play-calling had a hand in the turnovers. Fortunately, Nix bounced back and ended the day with three touchdown passes.
“This is a tough league sometimes,” Payton said. “I felt afterwards, something like that happens with that adversity early on, I get frustrated at myself, ‘Am I giving him the right looks, the right plays?’ Then later in that game when we needed it, he didn’t flinch. There’s a maturity and a moxie about him which I love. I think it’s contagious to the team.
“When you have that at the quarterback position, your team knows you’re in every game. When you don’t have it, it’s pretty difficult because deep down in their belly they know that’s not the case. That’s something you notice with this year especially and with this team.”
Nix now has 20 passing touchdowns this season (along with four rushing and one receiving) against 11 interceptions. He’ll look to take another step forward when the Broncos face the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.
