The Denver Broncos found a way to do it again. It being another wild fourth quarter comeback victory — this time against the hated Kansas City Chiefs.
The win is great and the team is 6-2 and in prime position to challenge for the AFC’s top seed again this season, but there is always room for improvement and none bigger than the run game.
Head coach Sean Payton was asked about the Broncos leading the NFL in defensive snaps and he confirmed that this was an offensive stat more than a defensive one.
“There’s a lot that goes into that,” Payton explained on Monday. “That’s a stat I don’t like. It’s a stat that on offense, we have to do a good job of possessing the ball. So that’s something that we pay attention to.”
Possessing the ball and sustaining drives is a function that falls far more on the run game than on Bo Nix. Sorry to all you Bo Nix haters out there, but he’s having to try to overcome an anemic rushing attack on every drive which has led to Denver being among the league leaders in three-and-outs.
Payton mentioned the run game too and said they are working on that and feels like it will get better.
“I think we’re continuing to work at it,” Payton said. “There were some glimpses yesterday. There were also some looks yesterday that we felt could have been blocked better. We’ll continue to work on that, and that’s something that we definitely feel like there’ll be improvement with.”
Until yesterday, I would have disagreed with him. Why? Because of his unwavering commitment to J.K. Dobbins up until halftime on Sunday. I have nothing against Dobbins and appreciated his time in Denver, but its clear he is missing something this year. Something that Jonah Coleman seemed to have.
Payton finally saw it too and the result was a second half emergence of Coleman as a featured back for Denver. He was a big part of their comeback and why I think Payton might be right that the run game might be improving greatly in the coming weeks.
Broncos daily recap
Will the Broncos’ big win against the Chiefs make them NFL trade deadline buyers?
Another gutsy performance by the Denver Broncos has catapulted them to the top of the AFC West. Will that cause them to go all-in as buyers at the NFL trade deadline?
Broncos Stock Up, Stock Down: Week 8 vs. Chiefs
At one point, the Denver Broncos trailed the Kansas City Chiefs by the score of 24-13 late in the third quarter and things looked dire. The offense was stacking three-and-out drives, and the defense could not tackle rookie running back Emmett Johnson.
Game balls for the Broncos comeback win over Chiefs in Week 8
What a comeback. What a stand. The Denver Broncos seized control of the AFC West from the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Potent quotables
Sean Payton
On keeping players focused before the Bye Week and if they have extra time off today
“They have a little extra time off today. They’ll all come in, they’ll get a lift, they’ll watch the film. I think the first question about focusing on the next game, that starts way back when you’re putting your team together with the right type of guys and the right type of focus. Everyone understands each week, each game, a different challenge, a different approach as to how to win. That would be that.”
On why QB Bo Nix has more batted passes than in the past
“We’ll evaluate them. Sometimes it’s a good play by the defensive line. Some defensive lines are coached very well. Other times it’s protection issues. I would say both happened yesterday. There were some protection issues, technique issues that put a guy right in his face that we have to clean up.”
On S JL Skinner’s tackle during the goal-line stand and how the team’s depth in the defensive backfield has contributed
“They’ve been significant for us. A lot of these young guys we’ve drafted that are getting more and more playing time. It’s a little bit of our league, and you just hope you’re in a position with depth at those spots.”
On WR Jaylen Waddle’s performance on Sunday against the Chiefs and opportunities to expand his role
“Absolutely, let’s keep going. It’s something that’s going to be important for us. He’s dynamic, he’s quick. Each week as we gameplan, it was a little bit more challenging last week because Wednesday he didn’t go and there’s that uncertainty. We’re going to need his plays down the stretch.”
Under the radar
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