Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix had a day to forget in his NFL debut, posting a 47.5 passer rating, partly due to two bad interceptions.

After the eventual 20-26 loss, Nix focused on the positive, noting that Denver fought back and had a chance in the end.

“It was challenging,” Nix said. “It was a tough day. They didn’t make it easy for us, that’s for sure. Like I said, we fought. We went down there and scored at the end and gave ourselves a chance to win. We were inches away from a nearly hit ball that Riley Moss played incredibly well, but they just played better. It’s tough. You have to give them credit, but we fought and kept going.

“The emotions today are that we have a competitive team. We have a team that will not give up. And we will put everything on the line. No matter if it’s a bad start, we will continue to find ways to finish.”

Nix finished the game completing 26 of 42 passes for 138 yards. He ran for a touchdown late in the game but did not throw a touchdown pass. Nix was asked specifically about his first two interceptions after the loss.

“Yes, I thought that was a bad decision,” said Nix. “We would have gotten points. They lost the ball at the 1. After that we got a safety, so our defense saved us.”

The defense saved the offense with a safety, but ending the drive with a touchdown instead would have been worth five more points than a safety in a game that was decided by six points.

There is plenty of room for improvement after his debut and Nix is ​​confident the team will progress after Sunday’s loss.

“We have to watch the film and see what it says,” said the newcomer. “We have to to find areas that can be improved. I don’t think we were far from that. There will always be some, even if we won the game, we’re going to go in there and fix it the same way. So find ways to make plays as efficiently as possible and stay out of third and longs. Overall, find ways to win in these tough games.”

Nix and Co. will get their first chance to make a comeback when the Broncos host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 2.