Bo Nix has spent plenty of time under the microscope, and not just because of the jokes about how far downfield he throws it. The Broncos quarterback has become one of the league’s most debated players, but Denver fans usually land on the same simple defense: “he just wins.”
That’s exactly why Week 8 feels like such a revealing test. The Broncos head into an AFC West showdown with the Chiefs, and Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has the kind of setup that can make life miserable for Nix. If the game tilts the way the Chiefs want, Spagnuolo could be the one calling the shots in a much-needed Kansas City win.
Nix does have a clear path to success. He’s comfortable taking what the defense gives him, and he can hurt teams with his legs when they lose track of him. That approach has helped him silence plenty of doubters already.
But the counter to that style is just as straightforward. When defenses force Nix to win from the pocket, the results often swing the other way. Blitz him, or put him in man coverage, and the cracks show.
The numbers back that up. This season, Nix ranks last among 34 quarterbacks in total EPA against six or more pass rushers, according to SumerSports. He’s second-to-last against man coverage, and against man blitzes he’s completing only 41.2% of his passes.
That’s where the Chiefs come in. Kansas City has used man coverage at an above-average clip this season, checking in at 28%, and Spagnuolo has built a reputation for dialing up perfectly timed blitzes on passing downs. Third-down man blitzes have long been one of his calling cards.
The personnel also gives him more freedom to lean into that style. With Mansoor Delane and Nohl Williams on the back end, Spagnuolo can get more aggressive with man looks and trust what’s behind them. That opens the door for all kinds of pressure packages on third-and-long, the kind designed to force Nix into quick, precise throws.
Of course, the Chiefs still have to keep Nix from turning broken plays into gains with his scrambling ability. Handle that part, and they should be in position to keep him in check.
The stakes are already obvious this early in the season. After Kansas City’s stumble against the Seattle Seahawks, there isn’t much room left for error in the AFC West race. The winner of this one takes over the top spot, and that puts even more pressure on the matchup.
All eyes will be on it, and if the Chiefs are going to come out on top, Spagnuolo may need to be the biggest name on the field.
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Andy Reids Late Chiefs Line Change Raises Bigger Questions Up Front
Andy Reid made a late change along the Chiefs offensive line for the Week 8 AFC West matchup against the Broncos, turning to Mike Caliendo over Kingsley Suamataia right before kickoff. It was a notable switch because Suamataia had started five of Kansas Citys first seven games this season, while Caliendo had been in every game and was making just his second start of the year.
The move adds another layer to a front that has already been under the microscope, especially with the Chiefs trying to settle things up front as the season moves deeper into the division race. Suamataia was not believed to be injured when he was held out of the starting lineup, which makes the decision feel less like a short-term necessity and more like a sign that Kansas City is still searching for the right combination. [Read more 🡒]
Russell Wilson Just Reignited Broncos Fans Sean Payton Debate
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For Broncos fans, every on-air aside or social media needle feels like another reminder of how tense that relationship became. Wilsons comments have kept the conversation going around a pairing that never fully clicked in Denver, with Payton still on the sideline and Wilson now using his new platform to revisit the dynamic from a distance. [Read more 🡒]