The Denver Broncos faced a tough test against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night, with Bo Nix’s efforts falling downfield creating an engaging matchup against one of the most effective pass rushes in the NFL.
According to NFL.com, Nix has attempted passes that travel at least 10 air yards on just 23.5% of his throws this season, the lowest rate among qualified quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Seattle generated pressure on 44.3% of opposing dropbacks, the second-highest rate in the league.
The numbers show a potential problem for Denver. Nix has struggled to consistently challenge defenses beyond the short passing game, and Seattle has a defensive front to make his job more difficult.
The quarterback’s performance under pressure adds another layer to the concern. According to the NFL’s Next Gen Status, Nix completed just 35.4% of his passes under pressure while averaging 4.1 yards per attempt in those situations. He still hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass under pressure this season.
Against a defense capable of disrupting the pocket frequently, those numbers can be particularly significant.