The Denver Broncos had a wild sequence just before halftime against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. The team’s mismanagement of the game left fans — and Pat Surtain’s dad — frustrated.
Following a Kris Abrams-Draine interception, the Broncos took over at their own 18-yard line with 41 second remaining until halftime while leading 21-10. Instead of attempting to run out the clock, Denver coach Sean Payton called pass plays on first and second down.
The first pass to running back Javonte Williams went for negative-three yards. The second pass fell incomplete, stopping the clock. Williams then rushed for one yard on third down and the Broncos were forced to punt.
Surtain’s dad — Patrick Surtain Sr. — then chimed in on Twitter/X: “Bad clock management on both sides. [Jim] Harbaugh use your timeouts, Sean [Payton] run the ball. Man.”
Bad clock management on both sides. Harbaugh use your timeouts, Sean run the ball. Man
— PAT SURTAINl (@psurtain23) December 20, 2024
On the ensuing punt, Denver cornerback Tremon Smith was penalized for kick catch interference. After that 15-yard penalty spotted the ball at the Broncos’ 47-yard line, L.A. elected to kick a rare fair catch free kick to cut the deficit to 21-13 going into halftime.
Surtain Sr.’s response to the sequence: “Just DUMB…smh.”
Just DUMB…smh
— PAT SURTAINl (@psurtain23) December 20, 2024
Denver went on to lose the game 34-27. Surtain’s dad final tweet after the game was an emoji: “🤷🏾♂️.”
🤷🏾♂️
— PAT SURTAINl (@psurtain23) December 20, 2024
Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) next Saturday (Dec. 28). With two games remaining, Denver needs to win one game to clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.
