Bo Nix might not reach the level of being starstruck on Sunday, but he’ll certainly be excited to meet a quarterback he grew up watching.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Nix said Wednesday when asked about facing Aaron Rdogers in his fourth NFL game. “I grew up watching him do all his cool plays for so long. Over time, I’ve watched a lot of his highlights. It’s crazy that I get to go out there and play against him.
“[I’m] really looking forward to meeting him for the first time. It’s hard to put into words that on Sunday you get to play a great like that. That’s what the NFL brings. That’s why it’s such a special game.”
Nix, 24, will be making his fourth start with the Broncos on Sunday. Rodgers, 40, will be making his 228th career start.
The savvy veteran still moves and plays like the QB that won four NFL MVP awards earlier in his career.
“You feel like you’re seeing the quarterback we all remember,” Denver coach Sean Payton said of watching Rodgers’ film. “He’s quick, the ball is out, he’s got great command of what they do — 180 penalties drawn with his hard count. Historically speaking, he’s one of the top quarterbacks we’ve ever seen, certainly in that area. He does a great job getting the plays they want to get to. You see the skillset that we all saw prior to the injury.”
After tearing his Achilles in New York’s season opener last year, Rodgers is now healthy again and he looks like his usual self. Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain is looking forward to facing off against Rodgers and Jets star wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
“Aaron Rodgers is a guy that I’ve always thought about playing,” Surtain said. “I watched him growing up, seeing him make just amazing throws each and every year. Obviously he’s a future Hall of Famer, so I’m looking forward to that matchup.
“Also Garrett, he’s a great receiver, as well. They have a very dynamic connection going on right now. We have to game plan for them, and we’re looking forward to competing and being the best defense we can be to eliminate that.”
Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV map). New York is considered a home favorite against Denver this week.
