Bo Nix led the Denver Broncos to a 34-30 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in their preseason opener, solidifying his status as a frontrunner for the starting quarterback job.
Bo Nix, the No. 12 overall draft pick in April, made a strong case for starting duties in the Denver Broncos' 34-30 preseason victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Nix completed 15 of 21 passes for 125 yards and rushed for 17 yards before exiting the game midway through the third quarter.
Nix's efficiency was a standout feature of his performance, playing primarily against the Colts' backup defense. He engineered long scoring drives to close the first half and open the second half, demonstrating his ability to move the ball down the field.
Rookie Quarterback Bo Nix Impresses in Denver's Preseason Opener
While veteran Jarrett Stidham started the game and former New York Jets starter Zach Wilson relieved Nix in the third quarter, it was Nix who emerged as the most impressive quarterback on the day. His performance has him leading the early battle for Denver's starting quarterback job.
For the Colts, the focus was on second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson and 2021 NFL rushing champ Jonathan Taylor, who played together for the first time since injuries limited them to just two snaps all of last season. However, they saw limited action and made a minimal impact on the game.
Richardson, who missed last season due to a season-ending shoulder injury, completed 2 of 4 passes for 25 yards and rushed for 1 yard. Taylor, who led the NFL in rushing yards in 2021, had just two carries for 4 yards.
Longtime veteran Joe Flacco led the Colts on their only scoring drive while he was on the field, but the team's offense struggled to find its rhythm overall.
Denver took control of the game in the second half, with rookie running back Audric Estime scoring a 2-yard touchdown to extend the Broncos' lead to 20-10. However, Indy cornerback Micah Abraham kept the Colts within striking distance with a 45-yard touchdown return after he forced a fumble.
The Broncos sealed the victory with a 6-yard touchdown run by Blake Watson with just over five minutes remaining.
In addition to Nix's strong performance, several Broncos rookies made their NFL debuts, including running back Estime and cornerback Reese Taylor, who played their college football in Indiana. Taylor, a defensive back, had one tackle on a kickoff. Estime, a former Notre Dame standout, rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries.
The Colts suffered a few injuries during the game, with backup running back Trey Sermon ruled out with a hamstring injury. Defensive end Titus Leo, who had previously been injured in practice, was carted off the field with a knee injury.
The Broncos will host the Green Bay Packers next Sunday in their second preseason game, while the Colts will welcome the Arizona Cardinals to town for joint practices this week before their preseason game on Saturday.
