Sean Payton knew how it would sound. After the Denver Broncos outlasted the Seattle Seahawks in a 17-14 overtime win Thursday night, the head coach explained that the plan for Bo Nix and the offense was built around one thing against one of the league’s best defenses.
“Fortunately, we didn’t make any mistakes. I know that sounds a little conservative, but we felt that was going to be the difference,” Payton said.
Bo Nix and the Broncos stalled after halftime
Denver didn’t turn the ball over, and the defense did the rest. But the cost of that approach showed up in the second half. The Broncos gained 30 yards after halftime, picked up two first downs and went 0-for-6 on third down, according to Pro Football Talk. Nix went 7 of 12 for 29 yards over that stretch.
He finished 17 of 27 for 107 yards. His 45.4 offensive grade was the lowest of any Broncos player who saw the field, according to PFF.
Nix didn’t hide his frustration either. “I don’t know why we can’t really push the ball vertically right now,” he said afterward. The concerns about his game have been getting harder to ignore, and a night like this only adds to them.
Payton credited Seattle’s defense for taking away the deep shots. “When you put the cut-up together trying to find your shot plays, you really have to come underneath,” he said. “There’s a ton of snaps with that defense where, when the quarterback sets, there’s nowhere to go.”
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That’s fair. It also lands on Payton’s desk. He took back play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Davis Webb on Oct. 8, when Denver ranked 27th in both points and yards per game. A safe plan is his plan now, and so is the second-half stall that came with it.
The defense covered for all of it. Denver sacked Sam Darnold five times, hit him 17 times and intercepted him twice, and Ja’Quan McMillian’s pick in overtime set up Wil Lutz’s 53-yard winner. Payton called the unit “lights out,” and he wasn’t exaggerating.
Payton also admitted the Broncos have to “become more effective, more efficient offensively,” according to DenverSports.com. The crowd at Empower Field at Mile High got its win, but it also watched a 14-3 halftime lead nearly disappear with the offense doing little to protect it.
The Broncos get a mini-bye before the Arizona Cardinals visit Oct. 25, and Patrick Surtain II and Talanoa Hufanga both missed Thursday’s game with ankle injuries. If the defense is short-handed, avoiding mistakes won’t be enough. At some point, Payton has to let Nix take a few chances.
More on the Denver Broncos
- Sean Payton Admits the Broncos’ 4-2 Start Could Easily Be 2-4 After Overtime Escape
- Broncos Snap Counts Show Kris Abrams-Draine Holding His Corner Job as Riley Moss Eases Back
- What’s Wrong With Bo Nix After 107 Yards? Answering 5 Questions Broncos Fans Are Asking
- Broncos’ Pass Rush Leads 4 Positives From Overtime Win Over Seahawks, but 2 Negatives Linger
