Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was looking for a fast start to the 2025 season, and that is what most expected from him. Instead, he was almost a liability on Sunday in the Broncos’ 20-12 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Nix completed 25 of his 40 throws on the day, but he threw two terrible interceptions and lost a fumble. Several of his other throws were off, too, and he just looked shaky, almost like he did in his debut as a rookie against the Seattle Seahawks.
Considering all the circumstances, this was the worst game that Nix has played as the team’s starting quarterback. At home, against what was the worst team in the NFL last year, much more is expected. And with this performance, those who have been calling for a “sophomore slump” for Nix — and there have been plenty — are only going to get louder.
Nix seemed flustered by the pressure the Titans put on him and then he made the kind of bad decisions we didn’t see much during his rookie season. Here is an example:
Bo Nix throws his SECOND interception…
He’s been all over the place today.pic.twitter.com/J6fN8lklLr
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 7, 2025
That is just a poor decision on a play that is just not there. Nix avoided mistakes like that last year, so it has to be somewhat concerning that he came out and played like this. Those who believe in the sophomore slump often point to defensive coordinators having an entire offseason to review film of the quarterbacks who shined as rookies, an amount of time that wouldn’t exist during the season.
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That is often true and it is something the Broncos will need to adjust to. The defense bailed the offense out in this one, but that won’t take this team as far as it wants to go. Nix and the offense will need to be much more sharp next Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, a team that held the Miami Dolphins to just eight points and 211 yards of total offense this week.
In speaking to the media after the game, head coach Sean Payton didn’t seem too concerned.
#Broncos Sean Payton said “We are not going to do weekly growth meter with Bo Nix.” Reminded everyone he loves the player and the guts he showed, especially in second half.
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 7, 2025
There will be bad days, even for the best players. But it can’t become a trend, and Payton knows that. If he sees a repeat performance next week and says the same thing, that would be a problem.
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