Bengals Keys: Make Bo Nix Look Like A Rookie
Credit: Sam Greene via Imagn Images
In a highly-anticipated AFC matchup with major playoff implications, the Cincinnati Bengals will welcome the current seventh seed, the Denver Broncos, to Paycor Stadium. If Cincinnati wins, they will remain alive in the AFC playoff battle. If Denver wins, they will clinch their first playoff berth since 2015, eliminating the Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, and Miami Dolphins from playoff contention.
How do the Bengals keep their dream alive with a win over Denver in Week 17?
Force Bo Nix Into Rookie Mistakes
Despite being the sixth quarterback taken in the 2024 NFL Draft (albeit, at No. 12 overall), Bo Nix has been… pretty good?
Bo Nix is currently tied for 8th in Total Touchdowns by a rookie ALL TIME.
He needs 4 TD’s in his last 2 games to reach 3rd, knocking out Russell Wilson.
Is it happening?
— Ben (Surtain DPOY) (@benb81811) December 27, 2024
Nix has done a fine job in helping the Broncos move on quickly from their divorce from Russell Wilson. Coming into Week 17, Denver has the AFC’s fifth-highest scoring offense, and Nix has looked like a veteran leading an offense with more skill position questions than answers. Still, he has also made his fair share of rookie mistakes.
BO NIX THROWS HIS THIRD INT
THIS IS YOUR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR??pic.twitter.com/qFFYZunmjV
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 15, 2024
Nix currently leads all rookie signal callers with 11 interceptions. When forced to stay in the pocket under pressure, he has a dismal 37.7 PFF passing grade.
The Bengals did a much better job at bringing pressure in Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns, when four different players combined for five sacks on Dorian Thompson-Robinson. That said, they will be put to the test against a Broncos offensive line that has allowed the third-fewest sacks in the entire NFL (22). If Cincinnati can force Nix to make game-altering mistakes, which he’s extremely capable of doing, the Bengals can use their offense to control the tempo of the game. How else can Joe Burrow and company keep momentum on their side?
Throw Towards PS2 As Little As Possible
Bo Nix is pretty good. Patrick Surtain II, on the other hand? Extremely good.
Patrick Surtain II has more INTs (4) than 20+ yard completions allowed (1) this season 🎮 pic.twitter.com/cXGUFkB12L
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) December 26, 2024
Surtain is a two-time Pro Bowler and earned First Team All-Pro honors in 2022. He has the highest PFF overall grade among all NFL cornerbacks in 2024, in addition to the highest coverage grade. He has four interceptions (fourth among all cornerbacks), which is quite impressive considering quarterbacks have only thrown in his direction on just 7.66% of his coverage snaps. QBs know that throwing in his direction is as risky as sending a “You up?” text to your high school crush that you haven’t talked to in 15 years, even when he’s going up against the opposing offense’s WR1.
Burrow may not have the luxury of yeeting footballs to Ja’Marr Chase like he normally does, especially since Chase will be shadowed by Surtain for the vast majority of the game. Fortunately for Shiesty, he will likely have his full supporting cast, particularly number five.
#Bengals WR Tee Higgins (questionable, ankle/knee) improved every day in practice and there's optimism he can play Sat. vs. #Broncos, barring new development, per sources.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 27, 2024
As great as the Burrow-Chase connection has been, Burrow has also done well getting most of his weapons involved. If he can keep doing that on Saturday, the Bengals can avoid having to throw in Surtain’s direction for as long as possible.
Take Advantage Of Orlando Brown Jr.’s Return
Cincinnati will have their work cut out for them with Denver’s defensive line, who entered Week 17 with the league’s most quarterback sacks (51). Luckily, the Bengals’ offensive line will be getting a boost in Orlando Brown Jr.
Orlando Brown will play Saturday. Cody Ford will move back to guard in place of Cordell Volson. Amarius Mims will be good to go.
Bengals line back to full strength.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 26, 2024
Brown will likely be tasked with keeping (among others) Nik Bonitto (11.5 sacks) at bay. It’s not just the Bonitto show, though; he is one of five Broncos defensive players with at least five sacks on the season. Between the pass-rushing prowess of the Denver defense and the league-best coverage ability of Surtain, the Bengals’ passing offense may not be as explosive as it’s accustomed to being. However, if they can merely survive Denver’s pass rush and make just enough plays to keep the ball moving down the field, Cincinnati will have a decent chance to not only maintain momentum, but they will also…
Keep the 12th Man Involved
In 2021, I went on a solo trip (yeah, I travel *airplane emoji*) and attended a Broncos game. I watched Denver’s crowd shout “IN-COM-PLETE” after every incomplete pass, giving the Broncos a massive home-field advantage. It was a big part of the Broncos’ defense shutting out their opponent that day.
Now, to be fair, Denver’s opponent was quarterbacked by Zach Wilson, but my point still stands.
Week 17’s matchup with Denver is a critical, win-or-go-home matchup, and Bengals fans will pack Paycor Stadium and, in Zac Taylor’s utopia, bring the “IN-COM-PLETE” level of energy every step of the way.
“We’re counting on that crowd to show up next Saturday and be as loud as ever and make this a tough environment for a rookie quarterback and a team coming in here, and give our guys the confidence and energy we need to find this win,” Zac Taylor said after Week 16’s win.
The Bengals establishing and maintaining momentum and keeping the fans involved will give them a much bigger chance at containing Denver’s underrated offense. If they can do as such, they will have a last gasp at a playoff berth in Week 18.
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