Welcome back to the NFL, Sean Payton.
After taking a break from coaching in 2022, Payton joined the Denver Broncos this offseason, and he started his tenure with an onside kick to begin Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Buy Broncos TicketsDenver recovered the kick, but the ball was touched before going 10 yards, resulting in a penalty that nullified the recovery. Even without a recovery, though, the attempt excited fans about the start of the Payton era.
Unfortunately, the unsuccessful onside attempt was a sign of things to come.
The Raiders went on to score a touchdown and take a 7-0 lead. The Broncos then matched that score when quarterback Russell Wilson led a 14-play, 86-yard drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey to make it 7-6 late in the first quarter (the ensuing extra-point attempt was missed).
Las Vegas added a field goal in the second quarter to extend their lead to 10-6. Wilson matched that score with his second touchdown pass of the game, a five-yard toss to Courtland Sutton that made it 13-10 just before halftime.
Late in the third quarter, Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw a pass that was tipped in the end zone by linebacker Alex Singleton and then intercepted by veteran safety Kareem Jackson, halting a Las Vegas drive and preserving Denver’s lead.
After missing a PAT and a 55-yard field goal attempt earlier in the game, Broncos kicker Wil Lutz converted a 24-yard field goal to extend the lead to 16-10 midway through the fourth quarter.
After that field goal, Garoppolo led a six-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a six-yard touchdown pass that gave the Raiders a 17-16 lead. Denver was unable to match that score and Las Vegas later managed to run out the clock to secure a narrow victory.
Lutz’s missed kicks and Denver’s 10 penalties proved to be very costly in the loss.
On the injury front, safety Caden Sterns suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and was quickly ruled out. Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich later suffered a knee injury and was also ruled out.
Up next for Denver is another home game in Week 2 — the Broncos are set to host the Washington Commanders next Sunday.
