Rain is in the forecast in Cleveland today when the Browns host the Kansas City Chiefs. No inclement weather is forecasted at the rest of the outdoor Sunday venues and five games on today’s schedule are played in dome stadiums. On Monday night, the National Football League is offering up a pair of Monday Night Football contests that also find the home teams, Minnesota and Las Vegas, with domed stadiums.
The Denver Broncos opened this season with a rookie quarterback and Super Bowl odds in the triple figures. Now, after their win two weeks ago over the Cleveland Browns, the Broncos currently own one of the seven playoff spots in the American Football Conference. Their success is multiple pronged.
It begins with the solid coaching of Sean Payton, who won a Super Bowl and consistently had the New Orleans Saints among the NFL best during his nine seasons in the Big Easy. Payton mentored quarterback Drew Brees to a career that guarantees him a first ballot election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Now he has Bo Nix, and the signal caller who played five college seasons is showing the maturity of his age, 24, over what most rookie quarterbacks display. Nix has both avoided being sacked, he has been caught behind the line of scrimmage only 19 times, and a solid completion percentage while completing 17 touchdowns against only 8 interceptions. Only two teams have a better sack against number than Denver. The Buffalo Bills have protected Josh Allen for a league low 13 sacks and the Packers have protected their quarterbacks from being caught attempting to pass 16 times.
The Broncos success is also pinned to solid defensive play. In the entire league, only the Los Angeles Chargers have allowed fewer points than the 234 surrendered by Denver. The Chargers have limited opponents to 207 points.
So, an easy ride to the playoffs in Nix’s rookie season in the Mile High City?