When Bo Nix was asked about the characteristics of a good red zone offense in the NFL, the rookie quarterback didn’t shy away from the truth about his rough experience in critical situations.
“In the NFL, I haven’t figured out a whole lot because we haven’t scored in the red zone, yet,” Nix said after Wednesday’s practice.
Even with former quarterback Russell Wilson across the country in Pittsburgh, Denver’s red zone struggles have remained. In 2023, the Broncos scored a touchdown on 51.7% of their red zone trips, as head coach Sean Payton spent the offseason searching for answers on how to improve the team’s production inside the 20-yard line.
But through two games of the 2024 campaign, Denver has taken a major step back. The Broncos have the worst red zone percentage in the NFL — scoring one touchdown on seven attempts (14.3%), creating frustration within the offense.
“(A field goal) is nice, and I trust that (kicker) Wil (Lutz) will get us those three points when we need them, but we need to find a way to score touchdowns,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said.
Sutton had a bitter taste in his mouth when he walked away from Week 2’s loss to Pittsburgh. Denver’s defense held up its end of the bargain, holding the Steelers to 13 points and 46 rushing yards in the second half. However, the Broncos’ inability to score a touchdown on three red zone trips prevented them from making a comeback.
Denver’s first red zone opportunity sucked any momentum the offense had left. After wide receiver Josh Reynolds’ 49-yard reception, running back Javonte Williams was stopped on a 1-yard run before Nix threw an interception near the back of the end zone.
Trailing 13-3 with under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Denver was positioned at Pittsburgh’s 11-yard line when Nix threw back-to-back incompletions, forcing Lutz to kick his second field goal of the afternoon.
Nix completed one of five pass attempts in the red zone against the Steelers.
“The defense played their butts off to give us a chance. Even one touchdown would’ve changed the outcome last week,” Sutton said. “We have to find a way to maximize those trips as much as we possibly can. It’s gonna take all of us.”
The Broncos’ issues in establishing an effective run and pass game are magnified in the red zone. Nix is 4 for 10 with 15 passing yards in that area of the field, with an interception and a passer rating of 8.3.
Meanwhile, Denver has 12 rushing yards on six carries while averaging two yards per attempt in those situations.
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“That’s a work in progress,” Nix said. “We have to continue to find ways to move the ball and gain just subtle yards to where we can put the ball close enough, get in some goal-line situations, and put the ball in the box.”
If the Broncos want to change the narrative of their season, they know it starts with scoring in the red zone. It won’t be easy on Sunday against the Buccaneers.
Last season, the Buccaneers had the third-best red zone defense in the league, holding opponents to 23 touchdowns on 54 attempts (42.6%). They have allowed four red zone touchdowns on 10 attempts in the last two weeks.
“If we’re pointing to our point production, red-zone production (and) third-down production, we have to all be better,” Payton said.
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