Bo Nix’s first interception wasn’t pretty.
The rookie tried to make a play in the end zone, but wide receiver Courtland Sutton was surrounded by multiple defenders. Seattle safety Julian Love took advantage, securing the pick at the 1-yard line with 11:34 to go in the second quarter on Sunday.
While Nix’s throw was ill-advised, the protection wasn’t great, either. Right guard Quinn Meinerz fell to his knees after defensive tackle Leonard Williams slipped by him to create pressure on Nix as he prepared to throw the ball.
“We’ve got to give him a cleaner picture with some more time so he can start settling in quicker and feel safe in the pocket,” Meinerz said.
After Denver’s 26-20 loss to the Seahawks, Payton said the entire team has to be better around Nix, including the offensive line — a group that has been the team’s biggest investment over the past two seasons.
Even though Nix was only sacked twice, the Seahawks were tied for the second-most pressures (18) in the league in Week 1, according to Next Gen Stats. Seattle’s pressure rate (36.7%) tied the Minnesota Vikings for 10th.
Seattle’s defense is tough. But the defensive fronts Denver’s set to face in the coming weeks will provide a greater challenge, starting on Sunday with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“(The Steelers) do a lot of things extremely well, and thatap not by accident,” Payton said. “I think we’ll be seeing a better defense this weekend, and thatap with no disrespect at all to Seattle.”
Seattle’s defense, led by first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, rallied to the football, making it difficult for the Broncos to create explosive plays. The chaos created by the Seahawks pass rush added another degree of difficulty. Denver’s starting offensive line allowed multiple pressures, with right tackle Mike McGlinchey giving up a game-high five, according to Next Gen Stats.
Still, Payton thought the Broncos were OK in pass blocking compared to the unitap effort in the run game. OK will not be good enough against the Steelers.
Pittsburgh is fresh off an 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons, in which the Steelers relied heavily on their defense. The Steelers forced three turnovers, held Atlanta to 89 rushing yards and pressured Kirk Cousins 11 times. The veteran quarterback struggled, throwing for just 155 passing yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
Last season, the Steelers were quick at applying pressure on QBs. Pittsburgh’s time to pressure (2.52 seconds) and quick pressure rate (20.2%) ranked fourth in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats.
It doesn’t bode well for Denver that the Steelers have one of the sport’s best defensive players in edge rusher T.J. Watt, who recorded 19 sacks and 50 pressures in 2023. Against the Falcons, he had four tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. Making matters worse, Broncos starting left tackle Garett Bolles injured his ankle in the loss at Seattle. Payton said the X-rays were negative but didn’t shed light on whether Bolles will miss time.
“The Steelers’ defensive tradition and how they’ve performed over the years is deserving of the accolades and all the success they’ve had,” Payton said. “Itap tough (and) physical.”
Meinerz said the offensive line dictates wins and losses. He accepted Payton’s criticism of Denver’s pass protection being “average at best” in the season opener and looks forward to improving.
Meinerz said an emphasis for the offensive line is sharpening their technique. With games against the Steelers, Buccaneers and Jets looming, Denver hopes adjustments come quickly.
“For us, itap taking what we did and did not do well, and building new intentions,” Meinerz said. “This is a long season (and) every game is a learning opportunity to get better.”
Senior HOF contenders. Seven Broncos Ring of Famers are in a pool of about 200 former players in consideration as senior candidates for the Hall of Fame. The seven: WRs Lionel Taylor and Rick Upchurch, DL Rich “Tombstone” Jackson, LBs Tom Jackson and Karl Mecklenburg, S Dennis Smith and CB Louis Wright. Also among the players in consideration are former Broncos Sammy Winder, Lyle Alzado, Bob Scarpitto and Michael Dean Perry
Broncos work out WRs. Denver had a quartet of wide receivers in Tuesday for tryouts. Former 2020 second-round pick Denzel Mims is the most experienced — he played in 30 games for the New York Jets. The others: Kaden Davis, who spent the 2022 summer with Denver, Lance McCutcheon and Leon Johnson.
