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Behind enemy lines: 5 questions with Broncos Wire

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This week the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos square off in Week Two of the NFL regular season. Pittsburgh comes into this game 1-0 after an 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons while the Denver Broncos are 0-1 after falling to the Seattle Seahawks 26-20.

We reached out to our friend Jon Heath, Managing Editor of Broncos Wire to get the inside scoop on Denver this week.

How do you rate Bo Nix's first game as a pro?

Sep 8, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

He certainly looked like a rookie. Nix is going to have some growing pains, but Sunday wasn't helped by the fact that wide receivers were not creating separation on their routes and the running game was nonexistent. I'd give the QB a C+ grade, with the plus being for battling back and helping the Broncos make it a close game at the end. There were plenty of times on Sunday when Nix seemed to have poor footwork, and he had several bad throws and a couple of bad decisions. The good news for Denver is that Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels didn't light up the box score in Week 1, either. Just like John Elway and Peyton Manning, Nix struggled in his NFL debut. Nobody's asking him to go on to become a Hall of Famer, Broncos fans just want to see him become a competent QB who can lead a competent offense. We'll see if he shows improvement in Week 2 against a tough Steelers defense.

2. Who is a Bronco who played well last week and surprised you?

Jul 26, 2024; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele (81) during training camp at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2024; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele (81) during training camp at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

It was a bit of a surprise that Devaughn Vele has seemingly emerged as the team's No. 3 wide receiver. Courtland Sutton (12 targets) remains the WR1 in Denver, but Vele (8 targets) and Josh Reynolds (8 targets) appear to be right behind him. Vele was a second-round pick in April, but he had a better summer than fourth-round pick Troy Franklin, who was inactive on Sunday. Expect it to be Sutton-Reynolds-Vele as Nix's favorite targets again in Week 2.

3. What do you think the Broncos want to do differently this week?

Sep 8, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) breaks a tackle attempt by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) breaks a tackle attempt by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Establish the run. Denver coach Sean Payton has lamented that the team's running backs demonstrated poor vision in Seattle, and he also wasn't happy with a few drops from the WRs. The defense was mostly solid and I expect that to continue this week, but the offense has to get things ironed out. The Broncos need to set Nix up for success by establishing a ground game, and the WRs have to make the catch when Nix hits their hands. Those are two things Denver will want to have cleaned up for Week 2.

4. Will this game mean a little extra if Russell Wilson is the starter?

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Absolutely, without a doubt. Wilson himself would have a huge point to prove after Payton and the Broncos dumped him this offseason. And Payton will want to prove that he made the right decision to take on the largest dead money cap hit in NFL history to move on from Wilson and replace him with Nix. They might not say so publicly, but both sides would like to prove the other wrong.

5. What's your prediction for the game?

Oct 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) runs after a catch against Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) runs after a catch against Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Because it's at home, I'm giving the Broncos a narrow victory, but I'm hesitant to do so after Pittsburgh's defense looked so good on Sunday. I'm banking on Denver's own defense giving the Steelers problems after the Broncos forced an interception, two sacks and two safeties in Seattle in Week 1. If Nix takes a small step forward and his teammates give him better support, Denver's offense could bounce back this week. Broncos 20, Steelers 15. 

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Behind enemy lines: 5 questions with Broncos Wire