Bo Nix, 2024 Denver Broncos Draft, is known for his mobility skills. This is justified looking at his score of completing 76.7% of his pass attempts for 205 yards during his preseason. And it led to people’s high expectations of him. But this week might be one of the most competitive for him. Because he has to deal with Steelers’ TJ Watt who scored 4 tackets and a sack with an 18-10 win over the Falcons last week.

And it was very obvious people would talk about them. This topic came up in the recent Coffee with a Coach by CBS with Steelers’ former coach Bill Cowher. When the host mentioned “TJ Watts continues to impress.” the coach predicted that it would not last long because of the rookie QB Bo, who can be dangerous for TJ Watt. When comparing both, he mentioned, “He’s a defensive player of the year candidate. … He’s a guy that can change a game,” saying  Bo Nix is very different from Falcons’ Kirk Cousins, and defeating him would be tough.

This might be true, but we should keep in mind the experience Watt has. Big Watt has been a finalist for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award four times (2019–2021, 2023). And even won it in 2021 after he set the record for most sacks in a single season, matching Michael Strahan’s 22.5-sack record set in 2001. Defeating a QB who has been in the system since 2017 and has all these achievements might be tough. But Watt also understands that competing with Nix is not an easy task.

Watt was asked about the challenges he might face in beating the 2024 NFL draft on The Jim Rome Show. And he mentioned, “Yeah, I think it’s one of those things where you don’t usually see a rookie quarterback in his debut throw the ball 42 times, especially on the road. I think that just lets you know everything you need to know about their confidence in him and his confidence in the offense and how he’s playing.” TJ added they have wonderful players and some high-priced tackles who will protect him which makes the game more interesting.

Whatever the situation is, the game will be very interesting. Not only because we got a star rookie and one of the best QBs in the NFL currently, but because Nix’s biggest competition will be the Steelers’ HC Mike Tomlin.

Will Mike Tomlin’s NFL History be a reason for Defeating Bo Nix? 

As you all know, Tomlin has a record of being a nightmare, even to the best rookies. He is one of the best coaches in NFL history when it comes to playing rookie signal callers. Mike has led Steelers to 24-6 wins against rookie QB since he took over the HC position.

So before thinking about Watt, Bo Nix should be prepared to face Tomlin and his skills to pressure opponent QBs. Or it can be one of the exceptions like the six-year Mike lost against rookies. Which was twice in 2023 and 2016 and the game in 2012 and 1017. However, Mike might be more prepared this year after being overpowered by C.J. Stroud and the Texans in week 4, and then Dorian Thompson-Robinson in Week 11 of the 2023 season.

So for this game, luck is very important along with Nix’s skills. But we know only one thing, it will be an interesting and tough competition to watch.