Another game dominated by defense.
Another fourth quarter comeback.
Another one-score game.
And even though it was another game won by a last-second field goal from Wil Lutz, it was also another game almost squandered by sloppy special teams.
“I think, a really good issue to have is when you’re finding these ugly
wins,” said quarterback Bo Nix, adding that it won’t always be like that, but the team is leaning into it whenever it is. “For right now, the ugly wins are how we’re doing it, so that’s what we’re going to continue to find ways to do.”
Overcoming your own big-time mistakes is one way to do it, but it’s not a very sustainable way.
Lutz, the reigning AFC Special Teams Player of the Month, had a 51-yard field goal attempt blocked by Denico Autry in the first quarter. Later the special teams unit was flagged for a late hit out of bounds. And to round out the poor performance, Michael Bandy muffed a punt that set the Texans up for a third field goal just before halftime.
And then there was just incompetence as “late subs” and lack of precision showcased a discombobulated unit.
“We’ll look at that on film,” Payton promised, adding that his bigger concern was the lack of communication and the late subs. “It was a little bit sloppy.”
Payton added that they’ll “get the kicking game cleaned up or we’ll find someone else that can do it.”
But if you were hoping that comment meant the head coach would make a personnel change with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi — or perhaps bench him a game or two — no such luck.
Payton clarified in his Monday afternoon presser he was referring to player personnel rather than coaching changes.
“I’m referring to players that aren’t on the field that need to be,” Payton said. “Coaching is outstanding. We’ll get that cleaned up. My point is, if there are 10 [players] on the field and there are supposed to be 11, then that player that’s supposed to be out there, I’ll find someone else to do his job.”
Payton reiterated that they knew the potential Autry had to disrupt the game like he did. Being unable to prevent that was what frustrated him most.
“My disappointment after the game relative to the kicking game was more the late on the field,” Payton explained. “There were 10 players, and there was the 11th guy running out there. If you’re supposed to be one of the 11 [players] on pick any unit, and you’re on the bench, then I have a problem.”
Despite these issues, the Broncos’ final field goal attempt was successful as Lutz kicked a game-winning 34-yarder, sealing an 18-15 comeback victory for the Broncos.
And ensuring heart attacks all around in Broncos Country.
But it wasn’t just the mistakes themselves that bothered Payton. He was unhappy with the constantly challenging field position that both the offense and defense had to deal with because of bad special teams coverage.
“I felt in the kicking game we didn’t do enough to leverage the field position battle,” Payton said. “Defensively, fortunately, we held up. If you really paid attention to the game, I felt like our drives were starting to the far right or left and their drives were starting more towards midfield and fortunately our defense took care of that.”
It was also fortunate that rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw had a monster game, booting eight punts with an average net yardage of 53.5.
