Right now, the Denver Broncos are a tale of two sides of the ball. On one hand, the offense has looked stagnant through the first six weeks of the season, switched playcallers in a major shake-up move and still has looked shaky. On the other hand, outside of a Week 1 clunker from Vance Joseph's vaunted unit, the defense has been outstanding, holding several top offensive units and playmakers to limited production, despite injuries to major players in the secondary.
After the Broncos' Week 6 win over the Seattle Seahawks, Up and Adams host Kay Adams spoke highly of Joseph and the defense, while also expressing optimism in Nix, in spite of what the numbers are saying.
In her first clip, Adams spoke about Joseph, going so far as to call him one of
the top coordinators in the league right now.
"Vance Joseph deserves the love," Adams said. "No (Pat) Surtain, no (Talanoa) Hufanga, no second half offense at all, anemic, crazy; and they found a way to hold it off and beat the Super Bowl champs.
"I think Vance and (Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator) Brian Flores are the two most valuable coordinators in the NFL right now... Not just DCs; I would say of all coordinators, period."
You can see Adams' comments on Joseph below.
Vance Joseph and Brian Flores are the 2 MOST VALUABLE coordinators in the NFL RIGHT NOW...
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 16, 2026
Here's why 🔥@Broncos | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/nx1AgzvQkI
On the flip side, when it comes to Nix, the simple fact is that he's struggled. And not just struggled a little; he's struggled significantly, failing to hit 200 yards passing in four of the first six games of the season thus far.
However, Adams believes that better days lie ahead for Nix.
"I will say this about Bo: I think the criticism he's getting is understandable," Adams said. "Something is going on. I think it was very uncomfortable to hear him in postgame say, 'I don't have the answers, I don't know why we don't have explosive plays.' It makes me think he got out there and he thought they were going to be able to push downfield, and then it doesn't happen and he's getting so much (expletive) this morning and last night during the game.
"He deserves criticism this morning and this season, because we know he's got what it takes to lead a team to a huge game and get a game away from the Super Bowl... Let's not forget that the last time that he took the field before his injury, he was outdueling Josh Allen in a playoff game... that is who he is. That's why I think the criticism is happening."
You can see Adams' full take on Nix below.
Bo Nix DOESN'T look like himself right now...BUT
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 16, 2026
We've seen too much GOOD from him to think this will last 💯@heykayadams pic.twitter.com/4Yi4zMfYln
The Broncos need to show they can excel on both sides of the ball, in the same game, at the same time. That is part of the reason why the first third of the season feels a little scary. Broncos fans have seen the team at their best; now, it's time to put it all together.
Denver has a chance to do that in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in the desert. The change needs to happen, and happen quickly; the end of the season is just getting closer. Every game means something.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Kay Adams praises Vance Joseph, defends struggling QB Bo Nix
