Preparing for Broncos QB1
The Broncos have stacked up wins in spite of quarterback Bo Nix statistically regressing over the last month.
In Denver’s first eight games, Nix completed 62.8 percent of his passes with a 15:5 touchdown to interception ratio and 16.1 drop back EPA, per Next Gen Stats. In his last four games, those numbers have dwindled, recording a 4:4 touchdown to interception ratio, completing less than 60 percent of his passes and earning a -3.5 drop back EPA.
Taking this into consideration, the Raiders’ best chance to win this game starts with altering Nix’s level of play. In Week 10, the Raiders defense limited the Broncos’ signal-caller to a season-low 150 passing yards and Kyu Blu Kelly intercepted him twice. But remember the Broncos’ ability to pull out wins late in games? Nix has a 90.4 passer rating and nine total touchdowns in the fourth quarter or overtime this season.
“[S]o impressed with the process that they’ve used with the quarterback,”said defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. “And again, Coach [Sean] Payton is one of the best in the business, playcalling. … I think it’s a combination of the player again but also being led by the coach in terms of the playcalling. Some of those fourth-quarter playcall selections and the dilemmas and the predicaments they place the defense in based on what they’ve seen, he’s one of the best in the business to do it.”