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09/28 13:04 CDT The Broncos keep finding ways to finish but the slow starts are
stumping Sean Payton
The Broncos keep finding ways to finish but the slow starts are stumping Sean
Payton
By ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Pro Football Writer
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) --- The Denver Broncos are adept at fantastic finishes.
It's the sluggish starts that have them stumped.
"It gets back to your initial assessment of the game plan, how you want to
begin a game, cleaning up the details," coach Sean Payton said Monday. "You
can't throw them all in a first-half, slow-start bin. What you have to be able
to look at is all right, what are the things that have kept us from early-down
efficiency?
"You know, we're not splitting the atom here relative to trying to move the
football more efficiently earlier in the games."
Still, answers have been elusive.
The Broncos (2-1) rallied for a second straight week Sunday night, erasing a
16-0 halftime deficit in beating the Los Angeles Rams 30-26. That came one week
after they bounced back from a seven-point halftime hole and a double-digit
second-half deficit to surge past Jacksonville 20-13.
This marks the first time in team history the Broncos have posted back-to-back
second-half comebacks from double-digit deficits, a testament to the moxie
they've developed after a dozen cardiac comebacks and 11 one-score wins a year
ago.
As far as the slow starts go, however, "we've got to get that corrected,"
Payton said.
While thrilled to roar back against the likes of Matthew Stafford and Trevor
Lawrence in back-to-back weeks at home, they're also fully aware they're going
to have to quit digging themselves into big holes if they aspire to reach their
goals in 2026.
Bo Nix now has 11 fourth-quarter comebacks since entering the NFL as a
first-round pick in 2024. That's the most by any QB in that timespan. The next
step in his development is turning him from a fourth-quarter quarterback into a
four-quarter QB.
"That's the $6 million question, honestly," Payton said. "And I think that
we're trying to sort through this first quarter, meaning he's --- obviously the
moments aren't too big and he moves and escapes and makes plays and it leads us
to that first part of the jigsaw, which is, we have to find a way to play
better earlier. It'll be something we'll be frustrated about later if we can't
clean it up."
Nix said it's not as though he feels like the team has to be down to turn
things up.
"We're completely capable of winning by a couple scores," Nix said, "but I
think you also just have to remember you're playing a really good football team
in the Rams. We have a really good schedule, so it may come down to the last
few seconds on a few. I think the more important thing is we're winning these
games when it comes down to it and we're not losing. It'd be a lot worse if we
were talking about being close, being close, being close and not being over the
hump."
Cornerback Riley Moss smiled at the thought of being just as good at starting
out as the Broncos are at closing out.
"When we play a whole game," Moss said, "it'll be exciting."
What's working Payton's halftime speeches and adjustments.
What needs help Kickstarting the offense after kickoff.
Stock up Talanoa Hufanga, who became just the fifth safety in NFL history to record at least a sack and two interceptions, with one being a pick-6, in a single game. Hufanga, who also broke up three passes, joined Charles Woodson (2009), Aeneas Williams (2003), Reggie Tongue (2001) and Johnnie Johnson (1983) in that exclusive club.
Stock down K Wil Lutz missed a 43-yard field goal try in drizzle that was sandwiched around two three-and-outs by the Broncos in the first half.
Injuries WR/KR Marvin Mims Jr. missed the game because of a stubborn foot injury. Kolbe Katsis, an undrafted rookie out of Northern Arizona, stepped in for him and had 146 return yards, the most by a rookie making his Broncos debut in team history.
Key number 10 --- consecutive wins by the Broncos over NFC opponents, the longest active winning streak against nonconference foes in the NFL.
Next steps Getting off to a fast start might just be key Sunday when the Broncos visit the San Francisco 49ers in the first of two consecutive swings into California. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
What's working Payton's halftime speeches and adjustments.
What needs help Kickstarting the offense after kickoff.
Stock up Talanoa Hufanga, who became just the fifth safety in NFL history to record at least a sack and two interceptions, with one being a pick-6, in a single game. Hufanga, who also broke up three passes, joined Charles Woodson (2009), Aeneas Williams (2003), Reggie Tongue (2001) and Johnnie Johnson (1983) in that exclusive club.
Stock down K Wil Lutz missed a 43-yard field goal try in drizzle that was sandwiched around two three-and-outs by the Broncos in the first half.
Injuries WR/KR Marvin Mims Jr. missed the game because of a stubborn foot injury. Kolbe Katsis, an undrafted rookie out of Northern Arizona, stepped in for him and had 146 return yards, the most by a rookie making his Broncos debut in team history.
Key number 10 --- consecutive wins by the Broncos over NFC opponents, the longest active winning streak against nonconference foes in the NFL.
Next steps Getting off to a fast start might just be key Sunday when the Broncos visit the San Francisco 49ers in the first of two consecutive swings into California. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
