Tag: Sean Payton

Ex-Broncos players blame Sean Payton for ‘TNF’ loss to Chargers

Former Broncos players Tyler Polumbus and Nate Jackson have criticized coach Sean Payton following the Broncos’ loss to the Chargers.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton is facing heavy criticism following the team’s 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football.

The Broncos squandered a 21-10 lead that was established primary off success in the run game, and Payton is taking heat for easing up on the ground. His decision to throw instead of running out the clock just before halftime played a role in the Chargers scoring three points before halftime.

Later, in the fourth quarter, Payton opted to punt instead of going for it on 4th-and-6 near midfield while trailing by a field goal. Following a 34-27 loss, two former Broncos players took to Twitter/X with criticism of the coach.

This is what former lineman Tyler Polumbus wrote:

“When you can’t find a player that blew it, when you can’t point to a play or two that blew it, when one team started out physical in the run game, yet the other team is the one that finished with the run game there is really only one place to point the finger…. We got out coached mid game. Simple as that. Chargers adjusted. We did not.”

Polumbus later co-signed on a tweet that said Denver abandoned what was working in the first half against Los Angeles.

Another ex-Bronco, retired receiver/tight end Nate Jackson, chimed in with this tweet on Friday:

The game was certainly mismanaged by Payton starting with the team’s final drive in the first half, and the criticism is deserved. Denver is still just one win away from a playoff berth, though, and Payton has already clinched the team’s first winning season since 2016. Payton has the Broncos trending in the right direction, but Thursday was a poor showing from the coach.

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Sean Payton hints Broncos RB Audric Estime will get more carries

“We’ll keep playing those guys,” Broncos coach said after Kris Abrams-Draine and Audric Estime impressed against the Chargers.

Take note, fantasy football managers. Just in time for championship games, it might finally be Audric Estime time in Denver.

With Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) sidelined in Week 16, Estime led the Broncos‘ backfield in carries (nine) and rushing yards (48) in a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Chargers. Estime also scored the first touchdown of his rookie career.

Javonte Williams and rookie Blake Watson both received four carries (and Williams was the most involved in the passing game). After an eventual 34-27 loss, Broncos coach Sean Payton hinted that the rookies will continue to get looks to close out the season.

“I thought the young backs did a good job,” Payton said. “We’ll keep working those guys.”

When he was later asked about rookie cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, Payton referenced Estime again. 

“Overall, he’s [Abrams-Draine] been a pleasant surprise watching him. I’m encouraged that he’s getting to play. Some of these young guys are getting to play. Audric the same way, so we’ll keep playing those guys.”

Denver has two games remaining and after impressing against the Chargers, Estime figures to remain involved down the stretch.

“They played really well in the first half,” quarterback Bo Nix said of Estime and Watson. “Gave us a spark, especially on the first drive. They both had a few good runs and it’s just good to see those guys. They got their opportunity.

“We’ve seen it from Audric and with Blake. He’s been practicing really well, so he got his opportunity and ran the ball really well. I think that’s going to be good for us going forward.”

Estime has rushed 55 times for 252 yards through his first 11 games in the NFL. His workload has not been consistent enough for him to be a reliable option in fantasy football, but that might change soon. Stay tuned.

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Broncos coach Sean Payton explains 4th down decision vs. Chargers

Facing 4th-and-6 right near midfield down by 3 points with 4:35 remaining in the game, Broncos coach Sean Payton opted to punt.

Trailing the Los Angeles Chargers by a field goal during Thursday night’s AFC West showdown at SoFi Stadium, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton put the game in the hands of his defense instead of trusting his offense.

With 4:35 remaining in the game and all three timeouts in his pocket, Payton faced 4th-and-6 at his own 49-yard line. Instead of going for it just short of midfield, Payton opted to punt. The Chargers went on to score a touchdown, essentially putting the game out of reach.

Payton was asked about his decision to not go for it after an eventual 34-27 loss.

“Yeah but the timeouts, all the percentages, field position,” Payton pushed back. “We just couldn’t get them to stop.”

Payton’s offense lost the punch it had in the first half of Thursday’s game, in part because they stopped running the ball, at least effectively.

With 41 seconds until halftime while up by 11 points, Payton called two passing plays and the Broncos were forced to punt. After a silly penalty on the punt, the Chargers were gifted a fair catch free kick to cut the deficit to eight points.

After the game, quarterback Bo Nix defended Payton’s decision.

“Well, we had about 45 seconds and two timeouts and I think every offense in the league is trying to go score,” the rookie said.

Payton and the Broncos can’t change the past. What’s done is done. Now they’ll turn their attention to a Saturday afternoon game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.

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5 takeaways from the Broncos’ 34-27 loss to Chargers on ‘TNF’

The Broncos lost to the Chargers on Thursday night. Here are five takeaways from the defeat.

The Denver Broncos lost to the Los Angeles Chargers 34-27 on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. Here are five quick takeaways from the defeat.

1. Denver’s penalties killed them: The Broncos were penalized seven times for 61 yards. Two of the most costly penalties came from cornerback Tremon Smith and linebacker Justin Strnad. Smith committed a 15-yard penalty on a punt fair catch that spotted L.A. a free field goal just before halftime. Strnad’s hit on a sliding Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert turned a fourth down into a first down and L.A. later scored a touchdown. Those two penalties cost seven points in a game that ended up being decided by a touchdown.

2. Sean Payton had a bad game: Perhaps the coach can be forgiven for attempting to score again with 41 seconds left before halftime, a decision that resulted in a Denver punt and the penalty that led to a Chargers field goal. Had it worked, Payton would have been praised for aggressiveness and the Broncos could have put the game out of reach. The coach isn’t off the hook for his decision to punt in the fourth quarter, though. Trailing by three points, Payton opted to punt on 4th-and-6 just one yard shy of midfield with 4:35 remaining in the game. Following that decision, L.A. essentially put the game out of reach on their ensuing drive.

3. The pass interference no-call should have been a moot point: Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still definitely got away with pass interference against Broncos receiver Marvin Mims in the fourth quarter, but that sequence never would have happened if quarterback Bo Nix threw a better pass. Mims was open by several yards and Nix underthrew him, allowing Still to catch up. Had Nix led the receiver, Mims could have scored a touchdown to give the Broncos a four-point lead. Yes, it should have been DPI. But Nix needs to throw a better ball.

4. The defense came up short: Denver’s offense only managed two field goals after halftime, but they are not alone in the blame for Thursday’s loss as Vance Joseph’s unit allowed three touchdowns in the second half. The defense was undisciplined with several crucial penalties and countless missed tackles.

5. The sky is not falling just yet: With two games remaining, the Broncos can still make the NFL playoffs. Denver would clinch a spot with one more win, and they can clinch even earlier with help from three other teams. If the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts all lose or tie on Sunday, the Broncos would clinch a Wild Card spot. That’s unlikely to happen, though, so Denver’s game against the Bengals in Week 17 could have massive playoff implications. The path remains simple for the Broncos — win and you’re in.

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Watch highlights from Chargers’ comeback win over Broncos

If you missed the Chargers’ win over the Broncos or just want to relive it, here are the highlights.

The Chargers completed a double-digit comeback on Thursday night, defeating the Broncos, 34-27.

Justin Herbert threw for nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns. Jesse Minter’s defense held Denver to six points in the second half after allowing three TDs in the first half.

If you missed the game or want to relive it, the entire highlight reel can be seen below.

Chargers secure second-half comeback over Broncos: Instant analysis of Week 16 win

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ loss to the Broncos in a game that saw Los Angeles complete a double-digit comeback.

The Chargers pieced together a double-digit comeback in the second half, taking down the Broncos in a 34-27 battle on Thursday night.

Here’s our recap of Los Angeles’ Week 16 win.

It was over when…

Justin Herbert pitched the ball to Hassan Haskins, who ran for a 34-yard touchdown with 2:27 remaining to go up by 10.

Notable number

The Chargers swept the Broncos for the first time since the 2010 season.

3 stars of the game

  1. QB Justin Herbert: 281 yards, 2 passing touchdowns
  2. RB Gus Edwards: 2 rushing TDs
  3. WR Ladd McConkey: 6 catches, 87 yards

Quick hits

  • Before their win, the Chargers had lost 13 straight games when trailing by double digits, the fifth-longest active streak in the NFL.
  • Credit offensive coordinator Greg Roman for devising a game plan that resulted in 34 points against the league’s best defense.
  • The Chargers totaled 380 yards, 263 passing and 117 rushing, averaging 6.2 yards per play. They went 3 of 4 in the red zone.
  • Justin Herbert connected with ten different pass-catchers.
  • According to Next Gen Stats, Herbert used play action on a career-high 47.2% of his dropbacks against Denver, finishing 12 of 15 for 155 yards with a play fake.
  • Ladd McConkey led all receivers with 87 yards. Joshua Palmer was second with 41 yards on three catches.
  • Before his 43-yard run, Gus Edwards was only averaging 1.9. yards per carry. Still, Edwards found the end zone twice, bringing his touchdown total to four on the season.
  • After giving up three touchdowns in the first half, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter made some adjustments by dialing up and executing more pressure to mitigate the thin defensive backfield.
  • In the second half, Los Angeles forced four punts, two of which were three-and-outs, on five of Denver’s possessions.
  • Ryan Ficken, knowing the free-kick law, paid off as Cameron Dicker’s 57-yard field goal was good right before the half, the first free-kick FG since 1976.
  • The Chargers now have a 97% chance to make the playoffs after the win.

What’s next?

The Chargers are back on the road to face the Patriots (3-11) on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 10:00 am PT.

Pat Surtain’s dad was not happy with Broncos during ‘Thursday Night Football’

“Sean [Payton] run the ball. Man,” Pat Surtain’s dad tweeted during ‘Thursday Night Football.’

The Denver Broncos had a wild sequence just before halftime against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. The team’s mismanagement of the game left fans — and Pat Surtain’s dad — frustrated.

Following a Kris Abrams-Draine interception, the Broncos took over at their own 18-yard line with 41 second remaining until halftime while leading 21-10. Instead of attempting to run out the clock, Denver coach Sean Payton called pass plays on first and second down.

The first pass to running back Javonte Williams went for negative-three yards. The second pass fell incomplete, stopping the clock. Williams then rushed for one yard on third down and the Broncos were forced to punt.

Surtain’s dad — Patrick Surtain Sr. — then chimed in on Twitter/X: “Bad clock management on both sides. [Jim] Harbaugh use your timeouts, Sean [Payton] run the ball. Man.”

On the ensuing punt, Denver cornerback Tremon Smith was penalized for kick catch interference. After that 15-yard penalty spotted the ball at the Broncos’ 47-yard line, L.A. elected to kick a rare fair catch free kick to cut the deficit to 21-13 going into halftime.

Surtain Sr.’s response to the sequence: “Just DUMB…smh.”

Denver went on to lose the game 34-27. Surtain’s dad final tweet after the game was an emoji: “🤷🏾‍♂️.”

Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) next Saturday (Dec. 28). With two games remaining, Denver needs to win one game to clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.

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Playoffs will wait: Broncos fall to 9-6 following 34-27 loss to Chargers

The Broncos fell to the Chargers 34-27 on Thursday, delaying Denver’s bid to make the 2024 NFL playoffs.

The Denver Broncos (9-6) lost to the Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) 34-27 on Thursday Night Football in Week 16, delaying the team’s bid to clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.

Denver can still clinch a playoff berth in Week 16 if the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins all lose or tie on Sunday.

After the defense forced a three-and-out on L.A.’s opening drive, the Broncos’ offense marched 72 yards — with 43 yards on the ground — before taking a 7-0 lead after Audric Estime scored his first touchdown in the NFL.

The Chargers later matched that score with a one-yard touchdown run from Gus Edwards to tie the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter. Denver then went 70 yards on 12 plays and retook a 14-7 lead after quarterback Bo Nix connected with fullback Michael Burton on a one-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

L.A. kicked a field goal on its next drive to make it 14-10, marking four-straight drives with a score. Following a 54-yard catch-and-run by Marvin Mims on Denver’s next possession, Nix threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Devaughn Vele to extend the lead to 21-10.

L.A. appeared to be on the verge of scoring just before halftime before rookie cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine intercepted a Justin Herbert pass at the one-yard line. That prevented a touchdown, but after the Broncos committed a foul on their ensuing punt, the Chargers converted a 57-yard fair catch free kick to make it 21-13 going into halftime. It marked the first time since 1976 that such a kick was attempted in an NFL game:

The Broncos opened the third quarter with a 41-yard Wil Lutz field goal to extend the lead to 24-13. L.A. then went 70 yards on 10 plays and scored on a five-yard Edwards touchdown run. The drive was extended by a 15-yard foul after linebacker Justin Strnad hit a sliding Herbert on third down. Following the Edwards score, the Chargers failed a two-point attempt, making it 24-19.

L.A. took the lead in the fourth quarter when Herbert threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Derius Davis. After a successful two-point conversion, the Chargers made it 27-24. They later extended that lead to 34-24 following Herbert’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Hassan Haskins.

Denver converted a 55-yard Lutz field goal on its next drive to cut the deficit to 34-27. After a failed onside kick, L.A. ran out the clock to seal the game.

After playing on TNF, the Broncos now have nine days until their next game, a Saturday afternoon special against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.

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Broncos’ depth chart for ‘TNF’ clash with Chargers

Levi Wallace is still listed above Damarri Mathis and Kris Abrams-Draine on the Broncos’ “unofficial” depth chart.

The Denver Broncos are set to face the Los Angeles Chargers in a Thursday Night Football showdown in Week 16.

The Broncos did not make any official changes to their published depth chart this week, but Damarri Mathis and Kris Abrams-Draine have clearly jumped Levi Wallace, who was a healthy scratch on Sunday. Wallace is still listed above them on the depth chart, though.

With that caveat in mind, here’s a look at Denver calls the “unofficial” depth chart going into Thursday’s game.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Mike McGlinchey Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime Blake Watson
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike Matt Henningsen
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss Drew Sanders
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman
ILB Justin Strnad Zach Cunningham
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Levi Wallace Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Damarri Mathis Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

Thursday’s game will be available to stream on Prime. The Broncos are one win away from clinching a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs.

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Pat Surtain says Broncos have ‘big goals’ with playoffs in sight

“The main thing is right now is to finish the season off strong the right way,” Broncos CB Pat Surtain said ahead of Thursday’s game.

Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain spoke on the team’s winning record and how head coach Sean Payton is preparing them for a playoff push at a charity event on Monday.

During his time with media, Surtain was asked how it felt to have the first winning season of his career with the team.

“(It) means a lot,” Surtain said. “Obviously, we fell short these past couple of years, but it happens. Winning records and having these contagious energy, it honestly means something, right? Because I’ve been talking about the organization that has been through it the past few years, but now we starting to get that winning attitude, that winning demeanor. So having that culture represented in the Broncos organization means a lot.”

With the playoffs just one win away, Surtain and the Broncos can taste the postseason. Head coach Sean Payton knows well how a playoff push can affect a team.

“(Coach Payton is) preparing us very well,” said Surtain. “He understands what it takes to get there, so we just taking it on and following his approach. So yeah, we taking it day by day, week by week, and obviously we got big goals ahead of us. But, the main thing is right now is to finish the season off strong the right way, so we could allow ourselves to get to that mark.”

Surtain and the Broncos look to secure their spot in the playoffs with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night.

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