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Bo Nix<\/a> transforms into a different quarterback when trailing late in games. How much better would the Denver Broncos\u00a0<\/a>be if he remained that player for 60 minutes?<\/p>\n Nix led the 2-1 Broncos to a 30-26 win\u00a0<\/a>over the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> on “Sunday Night Football” after trailing 16-0 at halftime. With the win, the third-year passer now has 11 fourth-quarter comebacks (including playoffs), putting him in rare company<\/a>. Former Bronco John Elway and former Las Vegas Raider\u00a0<\/a>Derek Carr are the only QBs with more (12) through their first three seasons since 1950.\u00a0<\/p>\n Head coach Sean Payton loves that Nix is clutch like Pro Football Hall of Famer Elway, who ranks 10th in NFL<\/a> history in fourth-quarter comebacks (31). But the two-time Super Bowl champion relied less on late-game heroics as his career unfolded. The coach knows Nix must do the same to bring the Mile High City its fourth Lombardi Trophy.\u00a0<\/p>\n “That’s the $6M question,” Payton said postgame when asked about Nix’s early-game struggles.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n “The moments aren’t too big, and he moves and escapes and makes plays,” Payton continued. “But it leads us to the first part of the jigsaw, which is, man, we have to find a way to play better early.”<\/p>\n In three starts in 2026, Nix’s passer rating has improved from an abysmal 46.4 when tied or leading to a terrific 94.1 when trailing (via ESPN splits<\/a>). In 17 regular-season starts last season \u2014 when he had a league-leading seven game-winning drives and five fourth-quarter comebacks \u2014 his passer rating went from 76.3 when tied or leading to 102.4 while trailing.<\/p>\n There isn’t a clear common denominator in these situations, but Nix does use his legs more when mounting a comeback. The QB has rushed for 15 yards and one TD on 12 carries in 2026. The TD and 18 of those yards came on nine carries while trailing (Note: he has -3 rushing yards on three carries when leading.)\u00a0<\/p>\n Last season, he ran for 356 yards and five TDs on 83 carries. He generated 173 of those rushing yards and four TDs on 27 carries when trailing.\u00a0<\/p>\n New offensive coordinator Davis Webb may want to consider calling a few run plays for Nix early in a Week 4 road game against the 3-0 San Francisco 49ers<\/a> (CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET). Webb may be hesitant to do so after the QB suffered a season-ending right ankle fracture in a 33-30 AFC divisional-round win over the Buffalo Bills\u00a0<\/a>last season. Webb can take comfort in calling more runs after<\/span>\u00a0Nix insisted<\/a> he’s moving better following two operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Webb and Payton should let Nix use his speed. It seems to help the QB settle in and begin playing at a high level. When he does that more consistently, the Broncos will become an even more dangerous team.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nSean Payton talks Bo Nix’s slow starts\u00a0<\/h2>\n
How Broncos can help Bo Nix overcome slow starts\u00a0<\/h2>\n