Broncos coaches and players ‘extremely ashamed’ by 70-20 loss
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Denver Broncos may not have had room for all of the emotional baggage on their chartered flight home after their “embarrassing” 70-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
“It definitely feels bigger than a single game,” said Broncos safety Kareem Jackson. “Anytime you lose like we did [Sunday], it’s embarrassing.” Totally humiliating. As I already stated, we did not carry out any of the plans we devised.”
“Obviously that was embarrassing… tough to watch,” coach Sean Payton added. … I’m at a lost for words. In this league, you get your butt whipped every now and then, as this was more than that.”
“Embarrassed,” says Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton. Pissed. It does not sit well with us. It was the most humiliating game I’d ever played in. It’s the most humiliating game I’ve ever seen.
The attendance was astonishing, comparable to a homecoming game for the Dolphins.
The Broncos’ 70 points and 726 yards allowed were the most ever allowed by the team, as well as the third-highest point total and second-highest yardage total in NFL history. The 70 points allowed in an NFL game were the most since 1966, and the yardage total was second only to the 1951 Rams victory over the Yanks.
The Dolphins scored 10 touchdowns, averaging 10.3 yards per play, and gained 350 yards on the ground. Tua Tagovailoa of Miami completed his first 17 throws on his way to going 23-of-26 for 309 yards and four touchdowns.
De’Von Achane carried for 203 yards and two touchdowns (and another two TDs receiving) for the Dolphins, while Raheem Mostert finished with 82 yards rushing and three touchdowns (four overall). Tyreek Hill of Miami ended with 157 yards receiving on nine catches and a touchdown.
The Broncos committed three turnovers (two fumbles and one interception), while the Dolphins punted once.
”We need to take a serious look at what we were doing,” Payton said. “It’s not acceptable when someone runs the ball up and down the field like those guys did, or throws it up and down the field.” We only need to get to the tape.”
When asked if he had ever witnessed something like what happened on Sunday, quarterback Russell Wilson stopped before responding simply, “Uh, no.”
In the fourth quarter, Dolphins backup quarterback Mike White threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to reserve wide receiver Robbie Chosen, who had been promoted from the practice squad for the game.
With 122 points allowed in their 0-3 start, the Broncos are the only team in the league to have given up more than 100 points. Who is the next-closest? In three games, the New York Giants have surrendered 98 points.
Embarrassing. We came in with a plan, but we didn’t follow through on anything. ”Nothing,” Jackson explained. “We didn’t execute anything we put in place for this game, from the top guy to the last guy.”
After a rout, some coaches declare they won’t spend much time reviewing the game. Payton, on the other hand, predicted a lengthy day for everyone involved on Monday, possibly extending into Tuesday.
“It’d be one thing to say we’re going to get on to the next game,” Payton told reporters. “We must watch that tape.” Monday will be difficult for many of the players, as well as for us as coaches.
The Broncos will play at Chicago on Sunday, in what will be their most critical road trip in years. Before its Week 9 bye, Denver still has two games against the Kansas City Chiefs and one against the Green Bay Packers.
“It’s just one game,” Singleton added, “as s—ty as that is to say or whatever.” “It’s just one game.” We must educate ourselves. We’ll never play worse than this. Clearly, something is awry.”
“There’s losing and getting your butt handed to you,” receiver Courtland Sutton added. We were obviously handed our buttocks.”
