The Denver Broncos secured their first win of the season, led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Head coach Sean Payton maintained his perfect record against Todd Bowles, now at 9-0, with this decisive victory that improved the Broncos’ record to 1-2.
In his post-game press conference, Payton praised Nix’s resilience and composure, highlighting the quarterback’s varied experiences from Auburn to his successful transfer as crucial to managing pressure. He noted, “The kid’s been confident. He’s been through Auburn, he’s transferred, and he’s won repeatedly. Honestly, I haven’t seen him flinch.”
Despite not throwing a touchdown pass, Nix contributed with a 3-yard rushing touchdown and showed improvement by completing 25 of 36 passes for 216 yards without interceptions—an encouraging sign after throwing two interceptions in each of the previous games. This win signifies a turning point for the Broncos and highlights Nix’s potential under Payton’s coaching.
As the Broncos head into Week 4 against the New York Jets, they rank 3rd in the NFL for team defense, with 11 sacks over the first three games. However, defensive tackle D.J. Jones has been relatively quiet with just 7 tackles and 1 QB hit, leading to speculation that he could be a trade candidate before the November 5 deadline.
Analysts suggest the Green Bay Packers could be a suitable destination for Jones, given their struggles at defensive tackle due to injuries and underperformance. Ballentine noted that Jones’s versatility on the defensive line would be a valuable addition to the Packers.
After two seasons as a role player, he became a starter and had a breakout season in 2021, earning a lucrative 3-year, $30 million contract with the Broncos.
However, the Broncos may be reluctant to trade Jones, as it could disrupt the chemistry of a defense that has recently come together after their win. Notably, while the team has tallied 11 sacks, 10 were by edge rushers, partly due to Jones’s ability to hold his ground against offensive linemen, allowing those rushers to thrive. This context is crucial when considering any potential trades.
