Nix faces Chiefs again after worst-rated game of his career

Bo Nix threw for 131 yards the last time he faced the Kansas City Chiefs. He completed 17 of 28 passes for one touchdown and one interception in the Week 1 loss, posting a 69.2 passer rating. He was sacked four times and lost the ball three times, both career highs. The Broncos meet Kansas City again Sunday.

Dan Orlovsky, an ESPN analyst, watched that season opener from close range and said afterward that it did not look right. He said he still has concerns about whether Nix and Denver's offense can reverse the pattern this week. "I think this game is massive," Orlovsky said. "This game, and a certain type of performance in this game, can springboard you to recapturing stuff of years past."

Nix's expected points added in Week 1 was minus-18.9, eight points lower than his next-worst mark, which came in Week 5. He has since faced the Seahawks, Chargers and 49ers. Nix said he has watched the Week 1 tape several times, including this week. "Definitely doesn't leave me excited with how that game ended," he said. "A lot of things we can focus on and correct."

The trouble in Week 1 started with pressure. Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo sent extra linebackers and safeties at the line of scrimmage and varied his looks. The Chiefs blitzed nine times. Nix completed two passes against those blitzes for 13 yards, according to Next Gen Stats. Since then, Sean Payton said, other teams have copied that approach. Nix now holds the second-lowest passer rating in the NFL against the blitz and a 40.5% completion rate against extra rushers, the lowest in the league, six points below the next quarterback, according to Next Gen Stats.

Payton said reading those pressures is harder on the road, where the defense can watch a quarterback's heels and use a silent snap count. He said the Broncos' protection plan leans on Nix and center Luke Wattenberg. The Broncos' offensive line has allowed a 36.6% pressure rate against blitzes, the sixth-lowest rate in the NFL. Against Arizona last week, Nix went 4 of 12 for 61 yards and a touchdown when blitzed.

Orlovsky declined to call that outing a turning point. He pointed instead to a throw to Courtland Sutton on the first play and a back-shoulder pass to Jaylen Waddle as signs of progress. He still sees gaps. "I still see moments when he's playing too fast. I still see moments when he's not seeing it the same way as receivers. I still see moments where it's open, and I'm like, 'Throw the football,'" Orlovsky said. "I hope he plays better, but it's a real challenge."

Nix said Wednesday that the rematch will not resemble the opener. "What I've learned over the past is you can't play the same game twice," he said. The Broncos and Chiefs kick off Sunday in Denver.