At this point, we might be hearing too much about how bad Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has been this year, but you could also very fairly say that he's been right in the middle of the team notching two of their key wins this year.
He simply didn't lose the game for the Broncos against the Seattle Seahawks, and it's important to frame it like that because Sam Darnold essentially did with two second half interceptions. Nix also helped the Broncos comeback in the second half to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams.
To say that Nix has been flat-out bad this year is wrong when you dive into some of the ways the team has won games thus far. However, Nix certainly hasn't been good, and it's reflected in the latest AFC West quarterback rankings.
Updated AFC West QB power rankings prove that the Denver Broncos need Bo Nix to play better
4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (1,141 yards, 5 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 68.8 passer rating
Justin Herbert might be one of the worst players in the sport this year. Sure, he doesn't take all the blame for the 0-6 Los Angeles Chargers, but he certainly takes some of it. Herbert's 68.8 passer rating is lower than some quarterbacks' QBRs. This would stand to be the worst season of his career and perhaps one of the worst full seasons of the 21st century.
He's been shockingly bad this year and just looks like a broken player.
3. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (1,049 yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 79.4 passer rating
Nix also hasn't played well, either, but he's dealt with an extremely tough schedule, stingy defenses, and instances where close games seem to force him to not lose it for his team. The bright side here is that the Broncos are 4-2 with some key wins, and Nix hasn't thrown an interception in three games. He's definitely not turning the ball over like other players are, and with the schedule softening up here in the coming weeks, we could finally see the bounce back performances that we've been waiting for.
2. Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders (1,582 yards, 14 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 98 passer rating)
Despite losing three games in a row now, the Las Vegas Raiders are getting some really efficient play from Kirk Cousins, who is likely only starting this year, as Fernando Mendoza is waiting in the wings. Cousins does have five interceptions, which would put him on pace for 14 this year, but he's also on pace for 40 touchdown passes.
What we've seen out of Cousins this year is honestly play that many of us didn't think he had anymore, but it goes to show you just how important coaching and the right scheme fit is. The Raiders are a real football team and a club that the Broncos won't be able to walk all over this year.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (1,309 yards, 9 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 103.1 passer rating)
Patrick Mahomes has returned from his torn ACL and is doing his thing. Yes, he has an elite run game, but he's also been pretty efficient as well. Despite not having a ton of pass-catching talent that excites you, Mahomes has managed nine touchdown passes through five games and does have a very efficient 103.1 passer rating.
We're obviously to the point with Mahomes where he's a consistent thorn in the side of the Broncos and has also been so good for so long that we don't really bat an eye when he's playing like an MVP. He's also quarterbacking the lone unbeaten team in the NFL and tops our power rankings.
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