After the Kansas City Chiefs broke through Alex Forsyth’s protection to block a field goal and beat the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the offensive lineman faced intense criticism from both fans and pundits.
Broncos coach Sean Payton came to Forsyth’s defense by saying the block was on the coaching staff, not a single player. Denver quarterback Bo Nix also gave a passionate response to the Forsyth backlash on Wednesday, and other teammates (and even ex-Broncos) have had the lineman’s back.
Payton reiterated on Wednesday that it was primarily a coaching mistake.
“I think it’s just — I felt sick watching it,” Payton said. “I felt like, ‘Hey that’s on us.’ In other words, technique and then also, “Are we asking the right players to do the right things?’ [Offensive line coach] Zach Strief played forever in that position and he’s someone after watching it — every one of us felt as coaches that we let the players down and we needed to see that and correct that. That’s difficult when that happens. You as a coach … that’s how we felt.”
Forsyth and Denver’s field goal unit will look to play a clean game when the Broncos host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11. There’s no doubt that all eyes will be on Forsyth the next time Denver lines up to attempt a field goal.
