The Denver Broncos just nabbed their first win of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 20, 2026, but even with the W, quarterback Bo Nix and this offense have a glaring issue: they’re waiting until the second half to truly click. This isn’t some new thing either; it’s a trend that’s been cooking since last season. Head coach Sean Payton himself is straight up saying they need to focus more on the “front end” of games, and honestly, he’s not wrong.
This Second-Half Surge Can’t Be the Only Game Plan
Payton talked about this earlier in the week, basically asking the obvious: what allows them to succeed in the fourth quarter, and how do they get that magic going earlier? He called it a “great question.” He admits they’ve talked about “playing better early” since the start of the season. It all comes down to execution in the first half. When you’re playing with a lead, you get that balance on offense. But when you’re playing from behind, chasing points, it quickly becomes “one-dimensional in this league,” and that’s a tough spot to be in. The Jacksonville game was apparently a prime example of this tightrope walk. It’s simple, really: execute better early, and consistency follows.
Bo Nix Knows Exactly Where the Points Are
Nix isn’t shying away from it. He told the media that two specific plays in the first half against the Jaguars could have completely changed the story. We’re talking 14 points, folks. If those hit, “we’re not really talking about a slow start or anything,” he said. He had “two really good drives” in that first half that just didn’t translate to points, but then in the second half, they did. It’s a huge difference. He’s eyeing those crucial moments, talking about finding ways to “get the ball in the end zone,” “score in the red zone,” and “convert on a few more third downs.” If they clean that up and hit those scores early, he believes they’d be “in the 30s” on the scoreboard against a “really good team” like Jacksonville.
So, the challenge is crystal clear for this Broncos squad. They’ve got the win in the bag, but the focus shifts immediately to what “complete football” looks like for them. It’s about finishing those drives, making those red zone trips count, and getting those third-down conversions. If they can bring that second-half energy from the opening whistle, this team could be cooking with gas from start to finish.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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