Friday Faceoff: Who is to blame for the Broncos’ slow start?

Chris Schmaedeke, digital sports editor

Answer: Head coach Sean Payton

There are several ways the Broncos’ 1-2 start falls on head coach Sean Payton.

Let’s start in the offseason when coach Payton put some big-time expectations on his quarterback, Bo Nix, as well as the Broncos as a whole. Any time a national media outlet came to Denver, it was a chance to talk about his team.

His talk was not a bad thing, but it put a lot of pressure on him and his team, which Denver has not dealt with in the best way. The Broncos look like a group pressing, especially on offense.

With those added expectations on his quarterback, Payton’s play-calling has been up and down. Denver has not leaned on the running game even after remaking the room with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. Dobbins, who has scored in all three games, is top 10 in rushing with only 41 attempts.

Nix has attempted over 30 passes a game through three games. The balance is not there.

And finally, the Broncos are undisciplined, and it has hurt them in the last two games. That starts with the head coach. Denver committed eight penalties against the Colts and then 10 more in the loss to the Chargers. The flags included personal fouls, lining up wrong on offense, and an offside on a punt by Nik Bonitto. Denver gave the Chargers three first downs on one drive due to penalties.

Those types of flags can’t happen to a team looking to compete in the AFC West and make the playoffs.

The Broncos players need to perform on the field, but it all starts at the top. That’s where Payton needs to get Denver playing like he talked about in the offseason.

Kyle Fredrickson, Broncos reporter

Answer: Quarterback Bo Nix

Is it time to get impatient with the development of Broncos quarterback Bo Nix?  

I’m trending toward a resounding “yes” before what sure feels like a must-win game on Monday night against the Bengals. Alarm bells will ring in Broncos Country if Nix is unable to pull Denver out of its two-game slide. It just might be warranted.   

There is no denying the physical gifts and competitive nature that make Nix a promising candidate to lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl. He showcased enough arm talent and running ability as a rookie to inspire confidence. The problem, though, is that all of his perceived weaknesses from a year ago still exist today.  

Nix is 1-10 since last season against teams with a winning record, not including backups in Week 18 vs. the Chiefs. He often lacks touch on deep passes, evidenced by three key overthrows last week in the Chargers loss. His footwork and pocket awareness remain a work in progress.  

It’s unfair to pin the entirety of Denver’s 1-2 start on Nix. But his mistakes will always be magnified playing arguably the toughest position in all sports. Nix is currently the No. 19 rated quarterback in ESPN’s fantasy football rankings, per Next Gen Stats. He’s thrown five touchdown passes and three interceptions.   

This argument is not about turning to backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Nix is still developing with 21 games (including the AFC Wild Card loss) played for the Broncos. The jury is still out for whether he is the second coming of Drew Brees or yet another draft miss by the Broncos.   

Nix is the victim of high expectations, in part, because of strong offseason comments from coach Sean Payton about Super Bowl expectations. Nix hasn’t looked the part of a Super Bowl quarterback after three games. He needs a strong performance against the Bengals to help keep that dream alive.