Fitzpatrick Questions Nix’s Effort After Broncos’ Overtime Escape

Ryan Fitzpatrick Bo Nix criticism became the loudest takeaway from Thursday Night Football’s aftermath, even though Denver left with a 17-14 overtime win over Seattle. The former NFL quarterback, now a studio analyst on the Prime Video postgame show, did not treat the result as a step forward for the Broncos’ offense. He questioned whether Nix is competing hard enough.

What Fitzpatrick Said

Fitzpatrick described Nix’s play as not competitive. He went further, calling Nix’s approach almost disrespectful to the quarterback position and saying the effort is not good enough. The criticism centered on fire and passion, or the lack of them.

He also said Nix lacks trust from his coach, and he pointed to a specific call as evidence: a screen pass on third-and-8. In Fitzpatrick’s view, that choice reflected a staff that does not trust its quarterback to make a play in a obvious passing situation. He added that he felt for Sean Payton, Davis Webb and the offensive line.

Fitzpatrick raised another question without answering it: whether Nix is still injured. The brief does not establish Nix’s health status, so the comment stands as an analyst’s speculation rather than a confirmed fact.

How Denver Won Anyway

The Broncos’ defense and Wil Lutz’s 53-yard field goal in overtime decided the game. Denver gained just 168 total yards while Seattle gained 353. The passing numbers were especially modest: Nix completed 17 of 27 passes for 107 yards.

After halftime, Denver managed 30 yards and two first downs. The Broncos went 0-for-6 on third down in the second half. Those figures explain why Fitzpatrick’s critique landed even after a win.

Nix’s Own Explanation

Nix did not dispute that the vertical passing game is stuck. He said defenses are sitting back and hanging out, and he said he does not know why Denver cannot push the ball vertically. That is a quarterback acknowledging a problem without offering a solution.

The pattern extends beyond one game. The previous week, Nix went 16 of 27 for 123 yards in a 23-17 win over the Chargers. Across the two wins, he has 230 passing yards at 4.3 yards per attempt. Denver is 4-2 and has won two in a row, but the passing game has not been the reason.

What Comes Next

Denver’s next game is Oct. 25 at the Arizona Cardinals. The Broncos have time to sort through a passing game that is producing little yardage and even less downfield threat. Whether the staff changes its approach, and whether Nix’s effort or health becomes a larger story inside the building, remains unknown from the outside.

For now, the record says 4-2. The postgame show says the quarterback has something to prove.