Bo Nix looked unstoppable after the first quarter in London with a quick-pass and high-tempo offense.

It didn’t last for long.

The Broncos’ offense mostly sputtered in an ugly 13-11 victory over the winless Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Nix caught fire in the opening quarter before hitting a serious funk. Denver punted six times, gave up a safety, and trailed New York late into the fourth. 

Nix in the first quarter: 11-of-13 passing for 101 yards and one touchdown. 

Nix over the final three quarters: 8-of-17 passing for 73 yards. 

“First half, we were going quick, getting the ball to different players. Spreading the ball around, getting them in certain defenses where we get softer coverage,” Nix told reporters in London. “And then, obviously, there in the second half, (it) felt like the opposite. A lot of run-heavy looks, a lot of loaded boxes, and then just complete lack of rhythm.” 

The Broncos (4-2) return home with a win, mostly thanks to a dominant defensive effort featuring nine sacks. Yet Nix manufactured enough big plays to limp his offense to just enough points. It started on a first-quarter scoring drive with two big plays from tight end Evan Engram.  

Nix moved the chains on fourth-and-short with an 11-yard completion to Engram. He caught another for 16 yards a few plays later to convert a third-down attempt. Nix closed the drive with a touchdown pass to tight end Nate Adkins. The Broncos led 10-6. 

“That’s what happens when you try to get (Engram) the ball,” Nix told reporters in London. “He makes big plays. That’s why we acquired him. That’s why we felt confident he would bring that to our team.” 

The Broncos fell behind, 11-10, halfway through the fourth quarter when Nix led the game-winning drive. A 12-yard completion to Engram built momentum. Wide receiver Marvin Mims made a critical play, on third-and-8 near midfield, with a catch-and-run for 26 yards down the sideline. 

It set up the go-ahead chip shot field goal (27 yards) by kicker Wil Lutz.  

“We were in a weird spot, sort of in a hole, and we had to dig ourselves out of it. We knew we needed a drive. We felt confident that just get back ahead and our defense wouldn’t allow them to score again. That’s pretty much what happened,” Nix told reporters in London. “Got a good drive. Finally got a couple of explosive (plays). Evan turned it on. … Marvin with his explosive. Then we got down and ran a couple runs, and got in field goal range. You like to score on a drive like that to put the pressure on them.” 

The Broncos escaped London with a victory despite wide receiver Courtland Sutton having just one catch for 17 yards and wide receiver Troy Franklin losing a fumble on the opening drive. Nix found a way.

“They were a tough defense,” Nix said. “Put away the win, which was good.”