After starting the season with a 1-5 record, the Denver Broncos have now rattled off three consecutive wins. Despite this, Broncos head coach Sean Payton doesn’t seem to be satisfied just yet.
“I keep saying it – there’s that fine line between a groove and a rut. You have to bow up a little bit, and you have to demand it of each other at practice during the week,” Payton said following the win. “I felt like we’ve been practicing during the week better – a lot better,” he added.
While the improved practice sessions have resulted in three straight wins, the Broncos continue to find ways to make things harder on themselves than they have to be. In Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers, it took a late fourth-quarter drive to set up a field goal for them to narrowly escape with a victory.
On ESPN’s Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills in Week 10, the Broncos missed an extra point attempt and failed to score on their two-point conversion opportunity in the fourth quarter, leaving them with a six-point advantage. The Bills scored a touchdown with less than two minutes remaining which gave them the lead because of the blunders from earlier in the game.
Were it not for a defensive pass interference penalty that was called on Bills cornerback Taron Johnson in the final seconds of the game, the inability to cap off touchdowns with extra points and/or two-point conversions could’ve cost the Broncos the game.
There is still plenty of work to be done, but the Broncos now find themselves with a 4-5 record and in the mix for the AFC playoff picture. A matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on NBC’s Sunday Night Football awaits Payton and company in Week 11.
