The Denver Broncos hung on for a thrilling win on Monday Night Football this past week, led not only by the defense but by Bo Nix and the Broncos offense maintaining their composure in the fourth quarter while trailing. What did we see from Nix and the offense, both good and bad?
Denver Broncos Film Room vs. Cleveland Browns: Third Down Success
Third down was an area of success for the Denver Broncos offense and Bo Nix on Monday Night Football. Denver finished the game 6-of-13 on third down, including several big conversions to Courtland Sutton and the 93-yard gem from Nix to Marvin Mims on 3rd and long. Let’s take a look at a couple of those plays.
Bo Nix finds Courtland Sutton for 16 yards on 3rd and 6
On the play prior to this, Nix attempted to connect for Sutton on a play that would have been a first down, but Sutton dropped it. One thing I like seeing about Nix and Sutton’s connection is that they’ll go right back to it, and that’s exactly what they get on this 3rd and 6.
The Browns defense is playing man coverage while sending six players at Nix. Nix doesn’t panic with the pressure screaming at him, and he hangs in there to find Sutton on the crossing route, which intertwines with the backside crosser from the tight end and frees Courtland up underneath.
Nix delivers a 93-yard strike to Marvin Mims
For the last three or four weeks, Nix has made a throw that we’ve been able to say, “That’s the best one he’s made so far.” That trend continued on Monday Night Football. Denver’s offense had their backs against the wall after an unnecessary roughness penalty backed them up into a third and long. Nix uncorks a deep shot here to Mims, who gets behind the safety and in front of cornerback Denzel Ward to go the distance.
The ball placement here was in a tight spot, and it gave Denver’s offense a spark.
Nix-Sutton connection key in 4th quarter drive
Need a first-down conversion? Call Courtland Sutton. Sutton attacks vertically and stems inside at the start of the snap with Denzel Ward playing off-ball coverage. His inside release gives the indication he could be running an in-breaking route, but he throttles down and breaks outside where Nix finds him perfectly for a big gain.
Denver’s offense would ultimately take some time off of the clock on this drive and come away with three points that gave them the 34-32 lead.
Check out the full film review above for a more in-depth look at the passing offense.