Bo Nix reminded everyone on Sunday that there’s a big difference between the preseason and the real games. He completed 26 of 42 passes at Seattle, but not enough of his throws went anywhere, with him averaging just over 5 yards per completion.
We should have done a better job of seeing this coming.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I posted a chart showing that the three notable rookie quarterbacks in the last 10 years who’ve finished with even better passer ratings in the preseason: Zach Wilson, Daniel Jones and Kenny Pickett.
I’m not putting Nix on that scrap heap yet, but let’s give him a few games to get comfortable with the offense and the speed of the NFL game. It wasn’t happening on Sunday.
In Week 1, Sean Payton wanted to protect his quarterback, with the ball coming out quick – lots of short, safe passes. That’s a good way to reduce sacks and turnovers.
But at some point, you’ve got to let it rip. Nix’s completions on Sunday averaged only 5.3 yards.
In the 32-team era, only two quarterbacks with 20-plus completions have averaged fewer yards per completion.
The list below shows the 25 lowest such quarterbacks. These are all guys who completed at least 20 passes and averaged no better than 6.4 yards per connection. It hasn’t been a winning formula. These players went only 2-23 in those games.
| POP-GUN PASSERS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Opp | Result | Cmp | Att | Yds | TD | Int | YPC |
| 2022 | • Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt. | Cle. | W 26-14 | 24 | 46 | 123 | 1 | 1 | 5.13 |
| 2019 | Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | at S.F. | L 8-37 | 20 | 33 | 104 | 1 | 0 | 5.20 |
| 2024 | Bo Nix, Den. | at Sea. | L 20-26 | 26 | 42 | 138 | 0 | 2 | 5.31 |
| 2011 | Matt Cassel, K.C. | Buff. | L 7-41 | 22 | 36 | 119 | 1 | 1 | 5.41 |
| 2023 | Derek Carr, N.O. | T.B. | L 9-26 | 23 | 37 | 127 | 0 | 0 | 5.52 |
| 2020 | Kyler Murray, Ari. | at Car. | L 21-31 | 24 | 31 | 133 | 3 | 0 | 5.54 |
| 2004 | Chad Hutchinson, Chi. | at Det. | L 13-19 | 20 | 35 | 114 | 1 | 0 | 5.70 |
| 2019 | Kyler Murray, Ari. | Car. | L 20-38 | 30 | 43 | 173 | 2 | 2 | 5.77 |
| 2021 | Davis Mills, Hou. | at Ari. | L 5-31 | 23 | 32 | 135 | 0 | 0 | 5.87 |
| 2009 | Keith Null, St.L. | at Ten. | L 7-47 | 28 | 44 | 165 | 1 | 5 | 5.89 |
| 2016 | Brock Osweiler, Den. | at Den. | L 9-27 | 22 | 41 | 131 | 0 | 0 | 5.95 |
| 2018 | Nathan Peterman, Buff. | Chi. | L 9-41 | 31 | 49 | 188 | 0 | 3 | 6.06 |
| 2012 | • Matt Moore, Mia. | NYJ | W 19-17 | 22 | 32 | 135 | 1 | 2 | 6.14 |
| 2008 | J.P. Losman, Buff. | at NYJ | L 27-31 | 24 | 39 | 148 | 1 | 3 | 6.17 |
| 2015 | Matt McGloin, Oak. | Cin. | L 13-33 | 23 | 31 | 142 | 2 | 1 | 6.17 |
| 2018 | Derek Carr, Oak. | Sea. | L 3-27 | 23 | 31 | 142 | 0 | 0 | 6.17 |
| 2023 | Daniel Jones, NYG | at S.F. | L 12-30 | 22 | 32 | 137 | 0 | 1 | 6.23 |
| 2019 | Kyler Murray, Ari. | at S.F. | L 26-36 | 24 | 33 | 150 | 2 | 0 | 6.25 |
| 2019 | Sam Darnold, NYJ | Buff. | L 16-17 | 28 | 41 | 175 | 1 | 0 | 6.25 |
| 2018 | Kirk Cousins, Min. | at N.E. | L 10-24 | 32 | 44 | 201 | 1 | 2 | 6.28 |
| 2023 | Joshua Dobbs, Ari. | at Was. | L 16-20 | 21 | 30 | 132 | 0 | 0 | 6.29 |
| 2016 | Carson Wentz, Phi. | at Dall. | L 23-29 | 32 | 43 | 202 | 1 | 0 | 6.31 |
| 2023 | Dak Prescott, Dall. | at Buff. | L 10-31 | 21 | 34 | 134 | 0 | 1 | 6.38 |
| 2013 | Drew Brees, N.O. | at Sea. | L 7-34 | 23 | 38 | 147 | 1 | 0 | 6.39 |
| 2013 | Joe Flacco, Balt. | at Cin. | L 17-34 | 30 | 50 | 192 | 1 | 3 | 6.40 |
Broncos are at home in Week 2, but against a defense that will be challenging for Nix: the Steelers (who were able to frazzle Kirk Cousins on Sunday).
—Ian Allan