Sean Payton is officially taking over play-calling duties for the Broncos, a move announced Thursday that could dramatically shift how this team attacks the field. This comes after a rough Week 5 loss to the Niners, a game that highlighted the exact kind of frustrations that have been plaguing the team from the jump.
The Opening Drive Headaches Are Real
The Niners game was a gut punch, not because a win was expected, but because we were all hoping for a closely fought contest. The team managed that in the first half, but then things just slipped away. It’s the same old story, right? Fans are sick of the slow starts and we’re all just begging to see this team play a complete game at the level of competence and intensity we know they’re capable of. Sean Payton himself says the slow starts aren’t a script problem, but a matter of little details. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton echoed that, stressing that the offense has to tighten up its attention to detail. This isn’t just about one play or one series, it’s about the entire approach when the whistle blows.
Payton Takes The Reins, It’s Time To Run
The decision for Payton to take over play-calling meant that Webb was only given four games to make his mark, which is a tough break, but in the NFL, windows close fast and the margins are razor thin. Whether things would have been different if Payton had called every game this year is up for debate, especially since slow starts have been a thing during his time in Denver. Plus, we have to acknowledge the quality of the defenses this team has faced so far. But what’s clear is that they absolutely have to be more effective running the ball, and they have to commit to doing it early. We saw Tampa’s opening drive last night, an 11-minute marathon that just wears a defense down. When it comes to figuring out why it hasn’t been working, almost every coach and player on offense, with the possible exceptions of Harvey and Bryant, have some mud on their hands. Now, we’ll see how the team responds in the next couple of weeks with Payton fully in charge of the calls.
Nix Under the Microscope
Bo Nix has earned a reputation as a comeback guy, which is cool, but he’s also had some costly turnovers that can’t happen. This week, he’s up against a Chargers defense that just forced five turnovers against Buffalo and still lost. That tells you something about how tough they can be, even when they’re not getting results. Nix says he doesn’t have to be a hero on every play, and that’s exactly the mindset he needs to bring. Protecting the ball and taking what the defense gives him will be crucial. Fans are fairly confident he can do it, but “fairly” isn’t “completely.”
The team is on the road this week to face the Chargers, and it’s a chance to finally reverse these slow starts and show some consistent intensity. This road game always feels like a home game, so let’s see them play like it.
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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