Friday Faceoff: Is Broncos quarterback Bo Nix the favorite for NFL Rookie of the Year entering Week 11 against the Falcons?

Vinny Benedetto, Nuggets beat writer

Answer: Yes

The folks in Vegas aren’t this wrong this often, but nobody’s perfect.

Most sportsbooks have Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels as a massive favorite to win Rookie of the Year, while Bo Nix has the second-best odds. To their credit, Daniels has been a more exciting watch and has largely produced better statistics, but he has a whole lot more help in Washington.

Courtland Sutton’s great. But is anyone taking him over Terry McLaurin? The Commanders’ No. 1 target is on pace for a fifth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season despite Washington’s revolving door of quarterbacks the last few seasons. The only season Sutton surpassed 1,000 yards came back in 2019. Daniels also has the better tight end (Zach Ertz), No. 2 receiver (Noah Brown), receiving back (Austin Ekeler) and run game.

Nix’s start to the season put him in a hole. He registered four interceptions over the first two weeks, and Denver started 0-2. Since then, he shows 10 passing touchdowns against two picks. Daniels started the season with four rushing touchdowns in Washington’s first four games, but he hasn’t scored on the ground since. Nix also has four rushing scores on the season.

The Broncos have a prime opportunity to bolster Bo’s case over the next three weeks with games against the Falcons, Raiders and Browns. The Commanders have the Eagles, Cowboys and Titans in Weeks 11, 12 and 13, respectively. Tennessee allows the fewest yards to opposing offenses, while Philadelphia is second.

With a little projection, Nix should be considered the favorite for Rookie of the Year.

Kyle Fredrickson, Broncos beat writer

Answer: No

Don’t get me wrong.

Nix is everything the Broncos hoped for when they selected him No. 12 overall in the NFL draft, and the fanbase has every reason to be excited about the future. Go ahead and buy that No. 10 jersey with confidence that Nix is the team’s long-awaited answer at quarterback.

He’s that dude.

But have you also watched Commanders QB Jayden Daniels this season?

The LSU product and No. 2 overall pick has transformed an even worse-off NFL franchise.

Washington is currently in the NFC East title hunt at 7-3 with Daniels as the catalyst. He enters Week 11 with more passing yards (2,147) and fewer interceptions (two) than Nix. I’ll give the Broncos rookie some credit for leading Daniels in completions (206) and passing touchdowns (10).

However, all five Broncos wins this season came against teams with records currently below .500. The Commanders at least have one — a Week 4 road victory over the Arizona Cardinals (6-4) — another nod to Daniels.

Of course, there are plenty of games left to shape the NFL’s ROY race. Might Patriots quarterback Drake Maye enter the conversation? Is Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. a dark horse candidate to win the award?

Only time will tell.

Nix has proven the doubters wrong with resilient and surprisingly athletic quarterback play over his first 10 NFL starts. His pocket awareness and overall decision-making continue to improve. But Nix will need an extraordinarily strong finish to overtake Daniels in this race.