Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton is facing heavy criticism following the team’s 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football.
The Broncos squandered a 21-10 lead that was established primary off success in the run game, and Payton is taking heat for easing up on the ground. His decision to throw instead of running out the clock just before halftime played a role in the Chargers scoring three points before halftime.
Later, in the fourth quarter, Payton opted to punt instead of going for it on 4th-and-6 near midfield while trailing by a field goal. Following a 34-27 loss, two former Broncos players took to Twitter/X with criticism of the coach.
This is what former lineman Tyler Polumbus wrote:
“When you can’t find a player that blew it, when you can’t point to a play or two that blew it, when one team started out physical in the run game, yet the other team is the one that finished with the run game there is really only one place to point the finger…. We got out coached mid game. Simple as that. Chargers adjusted. We did not.”
Polumbus later co-signed on a tweet that said Denver abandoned what was working in the first half against Los Angeles.
Another ex-Bronco, retired receiver/tight end Nate Jackson, chimed in with this tweet on Friday:
Why did the Broncos abandon the running game in the 2nd half? Coaches like Sean Payton only run to set up the pass. Nothing more. They’re not content running the football all game & walking away with a W. They need fireworks. They crave them. Even when it ends up being a dud.
— Nate Jackson (@NathanSerious) December 20, 2024
The game was certainly mismanaged by Payton starting with the team’s final drive in the first half, and the criticism is deserved. Denver is still just one win away from a playoff berth, though, and Payton has already clinched the team’s first winning season since 2016. Payton has the Broncos trending in the right direction, but Thursday was a poor showing from the coach.
