The Denver Broncos just got absolutely slapped around in their preseason home opener against the Green Bay Packers, taking a crushing 33-13 loss right on their home turf. And look, I know what you’re thinking, “It’s preseason!” But don’t tell that to head coach Sean Payton. He was steaming after the game, and he didn’t hold back, hitting reporters with a brutal, no-nonsense assessment: “Obviously that wasn’t good enough.” Ouch.
Losing Every Single Battle, All Game Long
Payton wasn’t just generally annoyed, he was specifically livid about how many ways his team found to fall short. He practically dared reporters to “Just pick a topic” to find something they actually did well, implying there wasn’t much. Penalties? They lost that fight. Kickoff coverage? Yep, lost that battle too. Kickoff returns? Another L in the books. Rushing numbers? Guess what, they were losing there as well. It’s a complete wipeout across the board, proving this wasn’t just a bad quarter or two. Every single phase of the game contributed to that ugly 33-13 scoreboard. Payton absolutely shut down any excuses about it being “preseason game two.” He gets it: these games, these “scrimmages,” are absolutely vital “important steps towards the start of the regular season.” If you can’t get the basics right now, what exactly are you going to fix when the real bullets start flying? It’s a red flag waving as high as the stadium lights.
One Spark Can’t Hide the Inferno
Now, it wasn’t all total dumpster fire. Quarterback Bo Nix finally stepped onto the field for his first game action since he busted his ankle in the divisional round last year. And you know what? Coach Payton actually described Nix’s limited play as “solid.” The guy even managed to orchestrate a sweet six-play, 65-yard touchdown drive in his only snaps of the game. So, there’s that. A tiny little flicker of hope. But don’t mistake a flicker for a roaring fire. Overall, Payton made it clear he was far from “thrilled” with the offense’s output. Even with Nix’s moment, the coach is already spotting “too many minus plays, too many penalties.” That’s a killer for any drive, any rhythm. One “solid” drive isn’t going to fix a whole unit riddled with self-inflicted wounds.
So, what’s next for the Broncos? Payton’s got the coaches and players on notice. They need to come in, pore over that tape, and start making “corrections.” He’s firm: “You can’t not pay attention to these games.” This isn’t just some meaningless tune-up; this is a critical moment. If they don’t iron out these fundamental issues right now, that “not good enough” feeling is gonna be a full-blown nightmare when the regular season kicks off, and nobody wants to start the year like that.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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