Notepad for Broncos: HC Sean Payton and the Broncos are still looking to become better despite defeating the Packers.
Sean Payton thought back on the ways Denver could have performed better against the Packers in their 19-17 victory, one day after he had his first victory at Empower Field at Mile High as the head coach of the Broncos. Perfectionism, according to Payton, is ingrained in his identity as a coach and keeps him from becoming complacent following a thrilling victory in the last minute.
It’s the perfect game you’re looking for,” Payton stated on Monday. “That’s just how I am. Whether it’s offensive or defense, I’m going to show my feelings.”
The Broncos raced out to a 16-3 lead, but consecutive Green Bay touchdowns allowed the Packers to take a late 17-16 advantage. Kicker Wil Lutz’s 52-yard boot put Denver ahead for good, but the agony of the “what-if” aspect of plays that didn’t pan out stuck with Payton.
“I think there’s an element of wanting it to be not perfect, but, man, you know what it can be,” Payton said. “There are certain things in your preparation that you do. Then you get to that point and there’s that perfect [stretch] — and all of a sudden, it’s like, ‘Ahh’
One play that Payton cited was an incomplete ball to the flat that quarterback Russell Wilson attempted to hit but was unable to get to running back Javonte Williams. With 4:40 remaining in regulation, the play was set up for a second-and-5 from the Green Bay 44, but the incompletion was all the more significant because a first down would have put the Broncos closer to the end zone and allowed them to gain more clock time. Rather, Lutz’s 52-yard field goal and a stop on defense during the subsequent Packers drive were all Denver needed to win.
We ran that naked [bootleg],” Payton said. “… We’re in a heavy personnel grouping and we get the pick on the Sam linebacker. We’re up onto the corner route, Javonte is in the flat, and the throw is low-and-away. … You’re like, ‘This is the perfect timing. We’re going to gain another [first down]. We’re going to finish this game.’ Those type of things. Then you’re like, ‘Did we rep it enough? Did I practice it enough?’ Those are the things where you pull your hair out. That’s probably the best explanation for it.”
The Broncos succeeded in establishing their run game, rushing for a season-high 145 yards, but Payton also reflected on his attempts to find the perfect balance between the run and pass, especially on third down.
“I don’t know if you’re ever satisfied with it,” Payton said. “I ran it one too many times on third down and three or four yesterday and we had to punt, but you have to be willing to try running it on that down. I did not want it to become a drop-back, rush-the-passer sack fest. That defensive front rushes the passer extremely well, even with four. Staying on schedule and managing the game that way was going to be important.”
The search for continued growth extends to the defensive ball, as inside linebacker Josey Jewell has adopted his coach’s mindset and prioritized continued growth against Kansas City.
“Getting to a new defense, there’s always small, little quirks that you have to kind of work out with the players: where they’re going to be, where they’re going to fit,” Jewell stated. “And you develop that trust for one another throughout every game, and we’ve been able to do that consistently over the last few games.” With that, hopefully, we can just keep going forward and improving our communication while also knowing where we’re going to be.”
