Broncos Quarterback Bo Nix Finds Rhythm with Receiver Jaylen Waddle
After a slow start, the Denver Broncos offense, led by quarterback Bo Nix and receiver Jaylen Waddle, showed promise in a Week 2 victory.
It took six quarters of football for Bo Nix and the Broncos offense to find their stride, but the Denver team ultimately secured a 20-13 victory over Jacksonville. In the win, quarterback Bo Nix connected with his new No. 1 receiver, Jaylen Waddle, eight times on 10 targets for 138 yards.
Waddle accounted for 34.5 percent of the team's targets and 53.5 percent of its air yards, providing the offense with a vertical stretch and yards-after-catch element that was largely absent in the season opener. This included a 49-yard reception, showcasing Waddle's ability to stretch the field.
Nix increased his rate of passes thrown at least 10 yards downfield from 20 percent in Week 1 to 42.9 percent in Week 2, according to Sharp Football Analysis. This shift in strategy was attributed to offensive coordinator David Webb's success in exploiting Jacksonville's vulnerabilities in man-to-man coverage.
Facing the Los Angeles Rams, who have a tendency to play man coverage, Waddle is expected to benefit from a similar scheme. During his career, Waddle has averaged 2.04 yards per route run against man coverage. In Week 2, he turned three of four targets against man coverage into 57 yards.
The Rams, despite being on short rest and playing at a higher altitude, are favored by 2.5 points. However, the article suggests that Waddle's consistent usage offers more stability than a bet on the game's outcome. The Rams' defense generated a 50 percent pressure rate in their last game, the second-highest mark in the NFL, which could challenge the Broncos' offense.
The recommended play is for Jaylen Waddle to exceed 57.5 receiving yards, with odds of -114 on FanDuel.