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DENVER BRONCOS

Broncos boast best pass protection in NFL through two weeks

The Denver Broncos offensive line has been the best pass blocking unit in the NFL in two weeks, and the numbers behind their performance are dominant

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The pass attack for the Denver Broncos hasn’t been amazing through two weeks. Bo Nix has thrown three interceptions while Denver’s 186 passing yards per game is the eighth-worst mark in the NFL. Nix is still a young quarterback who hasn’t unlocked anywhere close to the full potential of the Sean Payton offense, but the numbers haven’t been amazing to start the year.

Just six of Nix’s 47 completions have been at least 10 yards down the field, and a few of the decisions he’s made have been puzzling.

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On the bright side, he’s only been sacked once through two games when he fumbled against the Titans, and it was a coverage sack, not one where Nix had pressure in his face instantly.

The offensive line was one of the Broncos strongest units heading into the season, and they’ve shown that they’re just as good as they were last season. Nix has been kept clean throughout the majority of his attempts. He’s thrown 11 pass attempts with pressure in his face (4-for-11, 21 yards, 2 INTs) compared to 59 without (43-of-59, 361 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT). Nix clearly operates at his best with a clean pocket, as every other quarterback does, and he’s got the best offensive line in the league to protect him right now.

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The line has the best pass blocking grade according to PFF, the best pass block win rate according to ESPN, and the second-best blown block percentage. The combination of those three scores has them rated as the top unit in the league, and second place isn’t exactly close.

Another aspect that the line has been amazing in is the penalty game. There has only been one flag thrown for holding on the offensive line as well to start the season (WR Trent Sherfield has been called for holding twice). Whether it’s Bolles, Powers, Wattenberg, Meinerz or McGlinchey, all five players have been holding their own. None of them have been whistled for a false start as well.

When looking at individual pass block win rate, the tackles have been dominant as well. Bolles has posted a mark of 100% through two games while McGlinchey’s number sits just behind him at 97%.

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All these numbers scream dominance. When you have a quarterback as young and as jittery as Nix is, keeping him as clean as possible is important, and Denver has the perfect group of guys to do so.

Trent Finnegan Sports Writer, Denver Sports

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