Denver, CO
Sean Payton makes bizarre Broncos decision at end of loss to Steelers: ‘Rock bottom’
Sean Payton followed up his curious decision Sunday not to go for an onside kick in the Broncos’ loss to the Steelers with an equally perplexing explanation.
Speaking to reporters after the 13-6 defeat at home, Denver’s head coach elaborated on the decision to kick it deep with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth, as the Steelers ate up most of the time remaining on the clock to leave rookie quarterback Bo Nix just nine seconds to make magic happen.
“Yeah, we spent a lot of time going through it. Look, back and forth. We had plenty of time to discuss it, there was a player down. We felt like our odds… the long run on third down prior to them punting took about six seconds. We were hopeful to have about two or three plays before we went to the end zone,” Payton said, according to 104.3 The Fan in Denver.
Denver kicked a field goal to cut the lead to seven with 1:54 left, but didn’t think the chances of recovering an onside kick warranted the risk even though they only had one time out left.
“It was just weighing the odds versus recovering an onside kick,” Payton said. “Or getting the ball back with 26 seconds. So, we chose to kick off.”
Nix, the team’s 12th overall pick in this year’s draft, would close out the game with an interception to drop Denver to 0-2 on the season.
Fans then turned their attention to social media as the Payton pile-on was well underway.
“Sean Payton… down by 7 with 1:54 and one timeout decides to kick it deep,” X user @trentbets posted. “I’ve seen a lot of bad coaching decisions in my day, but this is up there.”
“I’ve officially removed my orange and blue glasses. The Denver Broncos are a really bad team and the coaching isn’t any better. Sean Payton is being out coached week in and out. We are low on talent and energy,” X user @kadenstaab wrote, adding, “I don’t have the answer. All I know is this sucks. Rock bottom.”
Denver is riding with Nix after a messy split with Russell Wilson earlier this year.
Wilson signed with Pittsburgh in March, and although he didn’t suit up Sunday amid a lingering calf issue, he was honored with a “petty game ball.”
“I think we all know Russ got kind of did dirty last year,” Steelers quarterback Justin Fields said postgame, according to ESPN. “So I know he wished he could have played today in this game, but it’s awesome getting a win for him. He got a petty game ball.”
The Broncos reportedly informed Wilson last fall that they would bench him if he didn’t waive the injury guarantee of his salary and ultimately followed through at the end of the year, sitting the quarterback for the final two games.
Denver’s decision to cut Wilson resulted in a dead cap hit of $85 million.
The Steelers host the Chargers next Sunday while the Broncos visit the Buccaneers.
DENVER, Co. (KDKA) — Russell Wilson didn’t take the field for the Steelers in his return to Denver but he still got a game ball, in this case referred to as a ‘petty game ball.’
The veteran quarterback signed with the Steelers this past offseason as a free agent after being released by the Broncos just two years into a five-year, $240 million deal and was poised to make a return start in Denver, but a calf injury sidelined those plans.
Justin Fields instead got his second straight start and led the team to a 13-6 win over the Broncos. After the game, Fields said spoke about Wilson’s time in Denver.
“I think we all know Russ got kind of did dirty last year,” Fields said. “I know he wished he could have played today in this game, but it’s awesome getting a win for him. He got a petty game ball. It’s great getting the dub for Russ.”
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor said Sunday that head coach Mike Tomlin often gives out ‘petty game balls’ to Steelers players who beat their former teams.
Fields added that that Brandon Johnson and Corliss Waitman each received one, as well.
The Steelers opened their season with two road games and came away with two wins. The team’s focus now shifts to the Los Angeles Chargers who will visit Acrisure Stadium on Sunday.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and you can watch the game on KDKA-TV.
Denver, CO
Bo Nix Watch: Third-quarter interception another example of rookie QB trying to do too much
Stat line: 19-of-33 passing, 231 yards, two interceptions
Highlight: Bo Nix may have silenced a few doubts about his arm strength. With 8:02 to go in the third quarter, Nix completed a 26-yard pass over the middle to wideout Courtland Sutton. On the following play, Denver pulled out some trickery out of the Wildcat, as Sutton pitched the ball to Nix, who launched it down the field to wideout Josh Reynolds for a 49-yard completion.
Lowlight: As soon as Nix created momentum for the Broncos, he sucked it all away. On second-and-goal, Nix threw an interception in the end zone to Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. It was a bad pass by Nix, who attempted to throw the ball to Sutton.
Analysis: There were good, bad and ugly moments from Nix’s second career start. He appeared more comfortable in the pocket compared to Week 1 in Seattle. He started the game 5 for 5 for 27 yards and took some shots down the field later in the game, but accuracy remained an issue. He overthrew wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. after he created separation on a deep throw. His pass to an open Nate Adkins sailed over the tight end’s hands in the third. His interception in the red zone was forced, similar to last week when both of his picks were thrown into double coverage. Poor protection, costly penalties and drops from tight end Greg Dulcich didn’t help, either.
Unsung Hero
Broncos special teams: Denver’s special teams has been one of the few bright spots through two games. For the second straight week, the punt team pinned an opponent at its 1-yard line. Early in the second quarter, punter Riley Dixon booted the ball 51 yards before linebacker Justin Strnad flipped the ball out of the end zone to fullback Burton to position Pittsburgh’s offense at the goal line. In the third quarter, safety P.J. Locke and Strnad quickly stopped punt returner Calvin Austin III for a 4-yard loss.
Goat of the game
CB Pat Surtain II: The Broncos star cornerback had a rough day, getting penalized three times, one of which came on special teams. Surtain’s defensive pass interference on wide receiver George Pickens in the third quarter helped set up a field goal from Steelers kicker Chris Boswell to extend his team’s lead to 13-0 with 4:16 remaining.
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Russell Wilson is coming back to the Mile High City. But more than likely, he’ll be on the sidelines with a calf injury. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver hosts the Steelers at Empower Field at Mile High.
Live updates
Pre-game updates
Scouting report (11 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Steelers in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Steelers 20, Broncos 17
Russ or no Russ, life doesn’t get easier for Denver rookie QB Bo Nix against Pittsburgh’s defense. T.J. Watt rightfully gets top billing, but Alex Highsmith (14.5 sacks in 2022, seven last year) is no slouch on the other side. Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks played it pretty straight last week. Mike Tomlin? Here’s betting he’s got some wrinkles up his sleeve for Nix and company.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Steelers 17, Broncos 13
This game might get ugly. Denver’s offensive line is already banged up so there’s a chance quarterback Bo Nix will be running for his life against T.J. Watt on Sunday. At the same time, Pittsburgh’s offense is questionable. Denver’s home opener will be a low-scoring contest, dictated by special teams and the run game. Pittsburgh will have the edge against the Broncos.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 17, Steelers 16
No Russell Mania, so this feels like an undercard bout. But there is urgency for the Broncos to win because if they don’t, they are staring at an 0-4 start with back-to-back roadies looming. Bo Nix will be challenged by the Steelers pass rush but will be helped by an improved run game. However, the Broncos will escape because of three takeaways, including a Jonathon Cooper strip sack of Justin Fields for the second straight season.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Steelers 22, Broncos 13
Russ, schmuss. Just when Bo Nix needs most to turn to his run game and keep a nasty Steelers pass rush honest, Audric Estime goes on injured reserve and starting left tackle Garett Bolles and center Luke Wattenberg are walking wounded. The Steelers put four tight ends on the field at one point in Atlanta to run the single wing with QB Justin Fields. Mike Tomlin’s going to be fine with pounding the ball and daring Nix to do the un-Bo-lievable. No. 10’s not there yet.
Broncos-Steelers NFL Week 2: Must-reads
Broncos analysis: Is Denver at risk of relying too heavily on rookie QB Bo Nix to solve long list of Russell Wilson-era offensive ills?
In November 2023, the Broncos had won five straight and just polished off a bully-ball win against Cleveland to get above .500 for the first time all season.
At 6-5, they had legitimate playoff aspirations. Quarterback Russell Wilson had 17 touchdowns and no picks in the red zone.
The 17-0 TD-INT ratio didn’t capture the sacks and penalties that beset the Broncos offense. It didn’t mask, in Payton’s eyes, that Denver was among the league’s worst offenses on goal-to-go situations. It certainly did not convince Payton that Wilson was the guy to get Denver where it wanted to go long-term, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.
Broncos Journal: Denver’s pass rush shows signs of improvement. But can defense be dominant for full game?
The Broncos’ front seven wanted to be a physical and attacking front this fall. They didn’t waste any time in doing so against the Seahawks in the season opener.
While Denver wasn’t pleased with the outcome of its 26-20 loss in Seattle, there were positives to take away from the experience, starting with the Broncos’ ability to apply pressure on Smith in the first half.
After the Broncos finished 29th in pressure rate (18.2%) in 2023, the pass rush showed signs of life. The next step is making the quarterback’s life miserable for an entire game, Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.
Renck: Starting Bo Nix was right decision. But soon enough, Broncos’ Sean Payton will have to defend it.
Bo Nix earned the right to start. And it won’t be long before coach Sean Payton is forced to defend his decision.
Hear me out. Six quarterbacks were drafted in the first round last spring. Nix was the last.
Three started on opening weekend. You know how many will face four straight head coaches who were former defensive coordinators? The list starts and ends with Nix, Troy Renck writes. Read the full column.
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