ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton often calls the plays chosen to start each game "the openers." They are carefully selected and whittled down after hours of crunching the numbers, discussions, review and then more review. The team's quarterbacks, including rookie starter Bo Nix, choose their favorites in a final meeting each week -- "to dot" them, as Payton says.
But these selections haven't performed well in 2024. While the Broncos have largely ridden their defense to a 3-3 record, the offense's opening acts have ruined three shows and were perilously close to wrecking at least two more.