Bo Nix doesn’t care if the coverage is airtight. When Courtland Sutton is streaking downfield, the Denver Broncos' quarterback doesn’t hesitate. He’s confident that something good is bound to happen. This trust has become a cornerstone of Denver’s offense in recent weeks, especially evident during their dominant 38-6 win over the Falcons last Sunday.
Let’s rewind to the third quarter of that game. Nix, showcasing his growing poise, rolled to his right and pumped a fake. Then, with precision, he lofted the ball toward midfield. Waiting there was Sutton, who made one of his signature contested catches over Atlanta’s cornerback, A.J. Terrell Jr. It was the kind of play that defines their chemistry—and highlights how Sutton’s and Nix’s performances have risen in tandem.
Sutton’s Meteoric Rise
Since Week 8, Sutton has been on a tear. In just a handful of weeks, he’s hauled in 28 catches for 370 yards, ranking him third in the league behind superstars Ja’Marr Chase of the Bengals and Justin Jefferson of the Vikings. Add a touchdown to the mix, and you’ve got one of the league’s hottest wideouts. Sutton has eclipsed 100 receiving yards in two of his last four games, and his 78-yard outing against Atlanta marked his sixth game this season with 60-plus receiving yards.
Sutton’s resurgence is staggering. After a sluggish start to the season, where he managed just 277 yards and two touchdowns on 21 catches over the first seven games, Sutton now sits at 647 receiving yards. He’s on pace to shatter last year’s total of 772 yards and could very well hit the coveted 1,000-yard milestone—a feat that seemed out of reach a month ago.
Turning Point: The Big Easy Low
The turnaround wasn’t always so obvious. Back in Week 7, Sutton’s name barely registered on the stat sheet during Denver’s prime-time blowout win over the Saints. In fact, he didn’t see a single target in that 33-10 rout. For a player of Sutton’s caliber, the absence was glaring.
Yet, Sutton remained optimistic. After the game, he expressed hope, focusing on how he and Nix could build their connection. “It’s a week-in and week-out thing,” Sutton said. “We’re continuing to fine-tune the things we do well and improve where we don’t.”
That perseverance paid off. Since Week 7, Nix has transformed when throwing Sutton’s way. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the rookie quarterback boasts a completion percentage of 73.7% and a passer rating of 112.8 when targeting Sutton. Compare that to the first seven weeks of the season: a dismal 44.7% completion rate, a 51.5 passer rating, and three interceptions. It’s like night and day.
The “Security Blanket” Factor
For Nix, Sutton isn’t just a target; he’s a security blanket. “Even when he’s covered, I know he’s willing to make a play on the ball,” Nix said. “It may not always be complete, but the effort is there. That’s all that matters to me.”
This trust is rooted in Sutton’s elite ability to win one-on-one battles. When matched up in man coverage, Sutton has 17 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns on 25 targets. Since Week 8 alone, he’s grabbed 12 of those catches for 196 yards and a touchdown.
Joe Lombardi, Denver’s offensive coordinator, summed it up best: “If it’s one-on-one, he’s not really covered. If you can locate the ball, he comes down with it way more than average. He’s just a trustworthy guy.”
Big Plays, Big Results
Sutton hasn’t just been reliable; he’s been explosive. On pass attempts where the ball travels 20-plus air yards, Nix has connected with Sutton on 8 of 15 throws (53.3%) for 204 yards, a touchdown, and a single interception. Those deep connections translate to a 110.4 passer rating, showing just how impactful Sutton has been on big plays.
This ability to stretch the field has been crucial for Denver, opening up opportunities for the rest of the offense. Sutton’s knack for turning tightly contested passes into chunk plays has made him invaluable to Nix’s development.
Chemistry in the Making
Building a quarterback-receiver connection doesn’t happen overnight, especially when the quarterback is a rookie and the receiver is an established veteran. But Nix and Sutton are proving that hard work and persistence pay off.
“You have guys that play together for years, and that’s when you see those numbers pop out,” Sutton said. “For Bo and me, it’s about continuing to build our repertoire and sharpen our skills together.”
That repertoire is growing deeper by the week, and the results speak for themselves. Denver’s offense, once inconsistent, now looks formidable with Nix’s growing confidence and Sutton’s unwavering reliability.
Looking Ahead
With Sutton on pace for a 1,000-yard season and Nix settling into his role, the Broncos' offense is hitting its stride at just the right time. The chemistry between these two isn’t just exciting for fans—it’s a signal to the rest of the league that Denver’s offense can’t be underestimated.
In a league where timing and trust are everything, Nix and Sutton have found their rhythm. And as Sutton continues to rise, so too does Denver’s potential. Who needs perfect coverage when you’ve got a connection like this? For Bo Nix, if Sutton’s running downfield, the play is never over.
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