The Denver Broncos lost to the New England Patriots 26-23 on Christmas Eve in Week 16. Here’s a sampling of how Twitter/X reacted to the loss.
Sean Payton is by far the best coach the Broncos have hired since Gary Kubiak but he has been out coached by Dan Campbell and Bill Belichick by a mile in the last two weeks. Where is the smartest guy in the room that he always claims to be??
— Josh Dover (@JoshuaDover) December 25, 2023
This game is so bad I might consider spending time with my family.
— Mike DeCicco (@MikeDeCicco) December 25, 2023
This is getting embarrassing
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) December 25, 2023
Russell Wilson is being outplayed by Bailey Zappe in a playoff push.
— Robby (@Robby_NFL) December 25, 2023
Hate Russell Wilson? That’s cool!
Hope everybody likes Jameis Winston or Jimmy Garoppolo because I have a sneaking suspicion one of them is gonna be competing for the QB1 job next season in Denver.
Not a report, just a gut feeling.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) December 25, 2023
How long is Payton going to tolerate this
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) December 25, 2023
I can’t imagine watching this Broncos QBing and going “WOW! He deserves a 150% raise!”
Look at how limited this offense is with him at $20M
Imagine it now with him at $50M
— Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars) December 25, 2023
It's time to bench Russell Wilson.
If he gets hurt in meaningless games the Broncos are on the hook for a $37 M injury guarantee.
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) December 25, 2023
I’m gonna say it. Not saying it’s all his fault. But bench Russ the last two games. The contract and all that will be a heavy topic all offseason why risk him getting hurt. Im low key just over it
— Eric V (@EMoney_14) December 25, 2023
Broncos are in REAL trouble here
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) December 25, 2023
The Broncos are who we thought they were.
— RG 📷 (@RyanGreeneDNVR) December 25, 2023
Don’t let the fireworks at the end confuse you, that was an abysmal performance for a team trying to make the playoffs.
And just like that this season went from promising and full of hope to another failure. My gut tells me that game sealed Russell Wilson’s fate that he will…
— Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus) December 25, 2023
Broncos.
The coal in our Christmas stockings once again.
— Mike Carmellini (@Mike_Carmellini) December 25, 2023
Broncos fans waiting to watch a playoff game pic.twitter.com/Re9pklA7NT
— Xan (@XanB21) December 25, 2023
Nope, I hate football again
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) December 25, 2023
This is a pathetic loss by the @Broncos. After clawing back to a tie, we had the ball with time to win the game and we go three and out and give it back to the @Patriots so they can put an end to our season!!! We have lost to the @Raiders @Commanders , @nyjets & @HoustonTexans
— Alfred Williams (@BigAlRadio) December 25, 2023
Too bad the #Broncos (and whoever makes those decisions; might be a head coach or something 🤷♂️) pulled a Brandon Staley and eschewed a gimme field goal early… but I hear that everything’s all Russell Wilson’s fault.
Anyway, #BroncosCountry , it’s on to 2024.
— Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) December 25, 2023
This loss might be more embarrassing than the Dolphins loss.
— MileHighGreco (@MileHighGreco) December 25, 2023
Unbelievable collapse. Broncos go three-and-out and then give up a scoring drive after the Patriots ran the ball on the first two plays.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) December 25, 2023
With playoffs out of the question, the Broncos have some serious questions to address the next two weeks.
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) December 25, 2023
That final drive that ended with a three and out may have sealed Russell Wilson's fate in Denver
Broncos are now 7-8, likely out of the playoffs and have a big option looming on Wilson's contract
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) December 25, 2023
There is still light at the end of this Broncos tunnel. It just got further away tonight.
This offense is JV, there is no arguing that. Starts with the QB with plenty to trickle down from there & it does not exclude the HC at times.
Merry Christmas, here's to next year!
— Josh Dover (@JoshuaDover) December 25, 2023
I hate everything https://t.co/22lBPs5Ndl
— Chris Bianchi (@BianchiWeather) December 25, 2023
The Broncos as a touchdown favorite really let the 3-11 Patriots come into Mile High and win with the playoffs on the line…
Denver doesn’t deserve to be a playoff team. Merry Christmas.
— Zach Bye (@byesline) December 25, 2023
Every. Damn. Year. pic.twitter.com/EZxdUP37pE
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) December 25, 2023
Late magic aside, Bailey Zappe still outplayed Russell Wilson.
Merry Christmas Broncos Country.
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) December 25, 2023
That loss is on Sean Payton.
Catastrophic game plan.
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) December 25, 2023
The moral of the season: Don’t dig yourself a massive hole.
The Broncos started the season 1-5. They fell behind 23-7 tonight.
And while in both cases they made it close & interesting, they couldn’t close the deal.
The Broncos’ playoff hopes effectively end with a 26-23 loss.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 25, 2023
Up next for the Broncos is a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers (5-10) in Week 17.
