The Denver Broncos hoped to right the ship by hiring former Super Bowl champion coach Sean Payton in the offseason.
Though the Broncos have looked improved, it hasn’t yet helped them in the win column. On Sunday, the already 0-1 Broncos surrendered a 21-3 lead to ultimately lose 35-33 to the Washington Commanders. The Broncos’ two-point conversion fell short after Russell Wilson completed a miraculous, tipped Hail Mary as time expired.
Payton took responsibility for the choke job after the game. However, he also blasted his franchise quarterback for being slow in getting the play to his teammates.
“There were a number of drives where we were late with personnel, getting out of the huddle, we took a while,” Payton said post-game, according to Sports Illustrated. “That has to change. We had to burn timeouts in the first half, and I’m not used to doing [that]. We have to be better. I have to be better. ‘Russ’ has to be sharper with getting the play out, and then we have to look at how much we have in. If we need to wristband it, we will.”
On top of the slow decision-making from Wilson, he also fumbled in the second quarter on a play that helped spark the Commanders’ come-back bid.
The Broncos are next in action on Sunday, Sept. 24th, when they travel to Florida to take on the Miami Dolphins in AFC play.
