Payton: Bo Nix ‘belongs here’

On a day where just about everything went right for the Broncos, all eyes are on the young quarterback as he leads his team.

When Javonte Williams was carried into the end zone by the offensive line for the Broncos’ second touchdown of the day, Bo Nix saw it as something other than a big score.

The team picking up one guy to help him score was a metaphor.

“We have been wanting to get over a hurdle,” Nix said. “He stopped there for a minute and everybody just kind of pushes around him and gets him in the end zone. …Nobody who was pushing or blocking cared who got the touchdown. They were just pushing from behind.”

Quinn Meinertz couldn’t have been happier for that opportunity. He and Williams were drafted together and he knew it would take a lot of defenders to bring No. 33 down.

So he was thrilled to help stop that.

“I can’t remember who else was there, but they’re bringing more tacklers, and we’re bringing more people,” Meinerz said. “Ever since my [Wisconsin] Whitewater days, I’ve been taught to push the pile. So I got there, pushed the pile, and we ended up scoring. It’s so much fun scoring by pushing the pile.”

But that group effort was made possible by the overall outstanding play all day by the quarterback.

By the rookie quarterback, mind you.

“It’s great. We were talking about it on the sideline at a certain point when we noticed he was 24-for-29,” fellow former Oregon teammate Troy Franklin Jr. said. “I was just like, man, he’s on a roll.”

Yes he was. Completing 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns is no joke — and it has a lot of people starting to put Nix in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

But a few think so highly of Nix lately, they suggest he should be up for MVP.

Those accolades mean almost nothing compared to winning games, and that’s what Nix is focusing on.

“Overall, we just played well,” Nix said. “The offensive line is playing at a really high level. The sacks we have given up were on me. It is not like we are letting guys through and getting beat. Sometimes I get sacked on my own, but I think they are doing a great job. We are running and throwing the ball really well.”

Meinertz agreed the whole offense was working well together, giving Nix time to throw and making sure he could count on the run game.

“We were all working together really well today. I feel like the O-line, running backs, tight ends, wide receivers, we were firing on all cylinders,” Meinerz said. “And you can’t talk about special teams enough. Marvin [Mims Jr.] with some of those incredible returns in the punt game. Our defense was playing lights out again. So it was just an incredible team win, and that is kind of how it was on offense. Everybody was just doing their job really well.”

For head coach Sean Payton, the win may not even be as important as the vindication for his first-round pick in the draft.

Nix struggled in his first two games of the season but Payton had unwavering faith in his rookie.

“You’re learning each week and then pretty soon you’re like, ‘I belong here,’” Payton said of Nix. “It’s clear he belongs here.”

Since week 4, Nix has definitely “belonged” in the NFL — not just for a rookie but for any quarterback. He has thrown nearly 1,700 yards with a 66% completion rate while adding 188 rushing yards. No. 10 has 14 passing touchdowns, two rushing TDs and even one touchdown reception

“I thought he played well,” Payton said. “You feel like you’re in good hands. He’s smart with the football. He makes plays with his feet. A lot of times you’re calling plays for certain looks [and] the looks aren’t there. He has that ability to create and all the while protect the football. I thought he played really well.”

So did his teammates.

“I think he’s incredible. Bo is my dog, and he leads his team,” said Garett Bolles, noting that when the front five “handle business,” Nix can be dangerous. “He leads this offense. We go as far as his play. …What makes him so special is when he has time to throw the ball, he gets the ball to our playmakers. He’s a deadly quarterback in this league.”

Marvin Mims Jr., who had a breakout game with yards receiving, rushing and returning, said the young QB was “on fire.”

“He’s been on fire all year. He’s been doing really well, especially his confidence and the way he carries himself in the locker room,” Mims said. “With his elusiveness and being able to extend plays, he doesn’t quit on any plays. He’s Bo Nix. He wants to make the most of every play so it’s a lot of fun playing with him.”

Nix and the offense started on fire and never let it die. Scoring on the opening drive, they had to punt on only three of nine drives in the game. And Nix believes it was the first third-down conversion that really set the tone.

Instead of going three-and-out, Nix connects with an open Courtland Sutton on man coverage for a 16-yard play.

“It is really hard to get third and longs in this league. Whenever you can find those, it is always good. I think that was a key contributor to the plays we made after that,” Nix said. “That kind of jump started us and we were able to complete that drive with a touchdown. … That is what you want to do. It is great for momentum, gets the crowd into it quickly, takes some pressure on the defense and lets them play with a lead early on. It is good for all parties.”

And the defense was definitely having a party.

Holding Kirk Cousins and the Falcons high-flying offense to zero touchdowns and just six points was another statement by this Vance Joseph masterpiece.

“It’s one of those things where you just don’t get complacent. We are trying to be an elite defense, and I know we are in the Top 5, Top 10, but we are trying to be No. 1,” said safety P.J. Locke. “So, there’s always room for corrections, and I’m pretty sure are going to find them on film and hone in on those things and keep building off those cause this is an important stretch.”

Nik Bonitto, who accounted for two of the Broncos’ four sacks, credited the offense for playing with a lead that allowed the defense to go all out.

“It means a lot and we obviously take a lot pride in that,” Bonitto said of preventing the Falcons from a touchdown. “Credit to the coaching staff and the guys that I am rushing with.”