Bo Nix is still waiting for his first NFL touchdown pass, but for now, he and the Denver Broncos are happy to celebrate his first professional win.
The 12th overall pick in this year’s draft put aside two early losses and led the Broncos (1-2) to a 26-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. He ran for an early touchdown and avoided major mistakes.
“It felt great. We played really well,” Nix said. “We went out there and executed at a high level, and that’s what it’s supposed to feel like when you get back in the locker room.
The guys were really excited. You put so much into the week. You put so much effort, time and energy, and that is what those moments are about.”
Wil Lutz kicked field goals of 43, 38, 33, and 43 yards for Denver, which was trying to avoid starting 0-3 for the second straight season under coach Sean Payton.
Nix completed 25 of 36 passes for 216 yards without throwing an interception, after throwing four in the first two games.
“I say this, and I mean this, and it’s so important — and I include myself and the offensive coaching staff,” Payton said. “It’s our job to paint a perfect picture for this player. And if we do that … and when we do that, this guy is going to be something.”
Denver’s defense also supported Nix well, sacking Baker Mayfield seven times and intercepting him once to set up a touchdown in the first quarter.
The Broncos stopped two Tampa Bay drives in the fourth quarter, ending one on downs and forcing a fumble on the other.
The three-time defending NFC South champion Buccaneers (2-1), who were hoping to start a season with three straight wins for the first time since 2005, managed only 223 yards of total offense.
The loss was especially disappointing since it came after a win against Detroit the previous week.
Mayfield was 25 of 33 passing for 163 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin in the second quarter. Rookie Bucky Irving helped set up the touchdown with runs of 32 and 13 yards.
