This may seem hard to believe, but after two weeks, there’s clear evidence that the Denver Broncos have a more explosive offense than the Kansas City Chiefs. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. The Broncos have certainly struggled on offense, managing just one offensive touchdown in two weeks, and overall, they haven’t been particularly impressive.
However, rookie quarterback Bo Nix showed notable improvement in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nix won’t suddenly master the NFL overnight. A big part of the issue is that many people are comparing him to rookie standout CJ Stroud, who has had an exceptional start. But Stroud is the exception, not the rule, and it’s unrealistic to expect Nix to develop at the same pace.
That being said, it’s possible Nix might not develop as hoped, but at this point, we simply don’t know. What is clear, though, is that through two games, the Broncos have produced more explosive plays than the Chiefs, based on statistics. Denver has recorded five rushes of 10+ yards and five receptions of 20+ yards, totaling 10 explosive plays so far in the 2024 NFL season. In comparison, the Chiefs have only managed nine explosive plays, including just three rushes of 10+ yards. They do have one more explosive passing play than Denver, but the Broncos still lead overall.
The Chiefs’ run game could be impacted even further with the absence of running back Isiah Pacheco, which might reduce their ability to generate big rushing plays. Denver’s 10 explosive plays rank higher than 11 other NFL teams, which shows that their offense isn’t completely ineffective. For example, the Broncos had a big passing play to wide receiver Josh Reynolds in Week 2, which demonstrates some potential on offense.
Bo Nix was never expected to be an immediate star. Many great quarterbacks, like Peyton Manning, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson, took time to find their rhythm in the NFL. Manning, for instance, still had a passer rating in the mid-80s after his first 64 games, while Allen struggled during his first two seasons before breaking out in year three.
For Broncos fans, it’s important to focus on the small improvements and avoid expecting instant results. Patience is key, both for the fans’ well-being and to ease the pressure on the team. This statistic is just one example of Denver’s offense slowly starting to take shape.