I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Bo Nix led Broncos this coming Sunday. I was considering picking the Steelers as my team for the SCN survivor contest this week, so I needed to see what they were all about. I had watched Denver play in the preseason, and I had been surprised at how well Bo Nix had played. Was that for real? Sigh…there was only one way to find out. That’s right, I watched the Broncos Seahawks replay so that you would not have to.

Well…that statement should come with a caveat. I watched the first half of the game, but the second half was more heard than viewed as my eyes went all heavy and I slumped further and further into the recliner. This game was the equivalent of a hypnotist swinging a pocket watch on a chain and repeating you are getting veeerrryy sleepy.

What did I learn from the first half and the brief moments of consciousness during the second half? First, the preseason always lies, and it should never be used to prognosticate any regular season results. Second, Steeler Nation has been complaining about offense for several years now, me included, but what I saw between these two teams made me realize it can always be much, much worse.

Denver’s first two offensive plays resulted in a bad sack and then an even worse interception. Seattle gave up TWO safeties in the first half, and had more false starts and holding calls than I could count. At one point the score made me think I was watching a Rockies vs Mariners baseball game.

The Broncos had one pass play they trusted Bo Nix to execute, and they called it five times alone in the first half. Roll out to the right, hope the tight end gets open on the crosser, or check it down to the flat. I know I saw that play at least twice more in the second half when I managed to force my eyes open, so it’s anyone’s guess as to how many times they actually ran it.

When Bo did throw in the middle of the field, bad things happened. When throwing out routes to the sideline, he would stare down the receiver and deliver late throws. Seahawks DB’s were consistently jumping those balls. It’s a miracle there were only two picks in the game. I did hear the commentator say Denver had six 3-and-outs in the third quarter alone, but I’ll have to take his word for it.

This isn’t to say Bo Nix didn’t have some good moments. He made some big runs when Seattle didn’t contain him in the pocket and threw one or two decent balls downfield. Most of the designed run plays were toss sweeps to the right. In fact, Denver is a dominant right hand team, almost every play seemed to go that direction.

If the Steelers keep Bo Nix in the pocket and tackle the receiver in the flat before he can get going, it will be a long day for the rookie and the Denver offense. Donte Jackson could be the second leading receiver for Pittsburgh if Nix throws as many balls up for grabs as he did against the Seahawks. This could finally be one of those games where Steeler fans can relax and not be nervous going into the fourth quarter. It’s been a long time since having that experience.

Is it possible that Bo Nix “Tebow’s” the Steelers? Sure, anything can happen, but that’s not highly likely. This defense could be something special, and dropping a game to a rookie in his second start is not what they want on their bingo card. The offense was getting visibly better with each drive in Atlanta, and hopefully they can keep that up. Denver’s defense did look fast, but they gave up some big chunk plays, and Seattle wasn’t exactly hitting on all cylinders.

Pittsburgh was the only team in the AFC North last week to not score a touchdown yet was the only team to win. This week, they need to alter that script and win while finding the endzone a couple of times. The defense should give them plenty of opportunities with possessions and field position. The tradition of falling flat against an overmatched opponent also needs to come to an end this season. Hopefully, that starts this Sunday. My quest to obtain a Mel Blount signed helmet now depends on it.