A look at how the Broncos’ rookies played in their 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals on Saturday afternoon.
Highlight: Bo Nix gave Denver hope throughout the second half. After his interception in the fourth, the rookie QB engineered a seven-play, 70-yard scoring drive, which ended with him launching the ball to the end zone, where Marvin Mims Jr. made a contested touchdown catch over two defenders to tie the game at 24 and sent it to OT. Yet it might not have even been his most impressive touchdown pass to Mims that quarter. The other — a 51-yard strike that tied the score at 17 — was a perfectly thrown deep ball that Mims snared in the back of the end zone. Nix finished the game 24 for 31 for 219 yards, three TDs and one pick.
Lowlight: What was Nix thinking? With the game tied at 17 in the fourth, he threw an interception right into the hands of Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt. Cincinnati took advantage of the turnover and took a 24-17 lead off a 1-yard plunge from quarterback Joe Burrow. Nix and the offense also had poor two-minute execution to close out the first half. Nix’s screen pass to fellow rookie Troy Franklin resulted in a 1-yard loss before getting sacked on back-to-back plays. Nix was forced to run out the clock and take a 7-3 deficit into halftime by throwing a short pass to Mims.
Analysis: Nix’s resilience was on full display in Cincinnati. When it appeared Denver was losing momentum, the first-round pick found a way to keep his team in the game. Despite all the good Nix did, his decision-making has to be better. Although the defender hit Nix’s hand, his interception was doomed for failure from the start because he didn’t see Pratt in front of Sutton. Nix has 12 interceptions this season, and most of them would have you scratching your head.
Unsung Hero
DE Zach Allen: Denver’s starting defensive end wouldn’t be denied. Allen had 3.5 sacks and eight pressures despite being double-teamed 11 times on Saturday, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats. Allen’s sack total would’ve been higher, but he had two negated by defensive penalties.
Goat of the game
CB Riley Moss: Moss’ first game back after missing three with a knee injury came against Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Not ideal. Burrow tested Moss throughout the game, and the second-year cornerback didn’t have an answer. Moss gave up 11 catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 14 targets, according to Next Gen Stats. The former Iowa standout allowed the game-winning touchdown catch to Higgins in overtime.
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