Saints' Time Has Come

SEATTLE — Here’s a look at which players improved their stock or watched it decline after the Broncos’ 26-20 loss to the Seahawks in the season opener at Lumen Field on Sunday afternoon. Stock Up OLB Jonathon Cooper: When Cooper said he wanted 10 sacks or more this season, he wasn’t kidding.

Bo Nix’s Sunday in Seattle featured a dream start and a nightmare debut. Life comes at you fast in the regular season. On the second snap of his career, Nix walked to the line of scrimmage just 11 yards from the end zone thanks to an Alex Singleton interception and run-back and then a 9-yard rumble from Javonte Williams on first down. By the last snap of the afternoon — ironically a 4-yard Nix touchdown run — Denver’s offense had not only squandered too many opportunities and struggled mightily in almost every critical department against the Seahawks in a 26-20 loss, but it felt anything but set up for quick success going forward. “It was tough to get some explosive plays, and I think, when you have a hard time getting explosives, you’ve got to sustain drives,” Nix said afterward.

SEATTLE — Old habits die hard. That was the case for the Broncos’ defense on Sunday. Denver played inspiring defense in the first half, recording an interception and two safeties, only to see that effort come crashing down on the Seahawks’ first drive of the third quarter. In six plays, Seattle ripped off 66 yards, culminating with running back Kenneth Walker cutting right, shedding tackles from inside linebacker Alex Singleton and cornerback Riley Moss and leaping into the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown. The Broncos vowed to improve their run defense this offseason after being among the worst in the league last season.

SEATTLE — Bo Nix became Boo Nix. He was not the Brees Knees. None of this was particularly surprising given the time and place. Rookie quarterbacks are now 4-15 at Lumen Field. And in his debut, Nix looked spooked and was too often off target before providing hope with a nervy fourth-quarter drive that made the final score more palatable. It was unsettling but predictable and understandable. What was not was Sean Payton’s performance.

It’s been a rough debut for Bo Nix, but the Broncos rookie quarterback finally found the end zone. Bo Nix scores his first NFL TD!

Kyle Freeland set the tone, Sam Hilliard provided the juice, and the bullpen closed the deal Sunday afternoon in one of the Rockies’ most impressive victories of the season. Their 4-1 win over the playoff-bound Brewers at American Family Field earned them a three-game series victory in Milwaukee. Freeland’s rocky first inning gave no hint of the brilliance to come. The lefty needed 32 pitches to get through the first, his troubles exacerbated by third baseman Ryan McMahon’s throwing error, which allowed Gary Sanchez to reach first and Rhys Hoskins to follow up with a bloop single to score William Contreras. But after yielding a one-out single to Issac Collins in the second, Freeland retired the next 14 hitters he faced.