Broncos ‘competitively frustrated’ after collapse vs. Chargers

The Denver Broncos had a playoff ticket in hand, but let it be ripped away by the Los Angeles Chargers.

Sean Payton’s crew controlled most of the first half and built an 11-point lead midway through the third quarter. But in no time the lead deteriorated. The Chargers scored three touchdowns in the second half and turned a 24-13 deficit into a 34-24 lead. LA would hold on for a 34-27 win.

“It was disappointing because there was a lot at stake and we know that,” Payton said via Associated Press. “We got off to a fast start. I was encouraged by that, and so uncharacteristically this season, we didn’t finish or play nearly well enough in the second half, both offensively and defensively. Time of possession. The third-down numbers. Our rushing numbers fell off in the second half Credit Los Angeles for fighting back and we didn’t play enough at the end.

Denver opened the game with three consecutive TD drives, but couldn’t find the end zone past the midway point of the second quarter. The Broncos went three and out three times on the night and generated just six first downs in the second half.

The offense hit a lull and the defense was uncharacteristically burned, leaving Chargers wideouts open repeatedly for big gains as Justin Herbert cut up Vance Joseph’s crew.

“Everybody in that locker room — every guy — wants to play as early as next week, I think, at this point,” quarterback Bo Nix said. “We’re all competitively frustrated. I think we’re excited for this opportunity. We know the next one is the most important one, and we just want to go out next week and not feel like that again.”

Added linebacker Jonathon Cooper: “I just feel like the frustration comes from the fact that we knew we could have won this game and we started like we knew we wanted to. We just didn’t finish like we ville. … It’s a tough loss, a very tough loss, but we just have to learn from it and come back stronger next week and focus on getting our 10th win.

The breakdown was a group effort where the offense went cold and the defense made mistakes. Payton said he liked how his team battled, but they need to be smarter, especially with five “dropped coverages” from the defense.

“I think we play hard,” Payton said. “But we have to be smarter. And we also have to be smarter as coaches.”

A win would have given Denver a playoff berth. Even with the loss, they still have an 85% chance of making the postseason, according to Next Gen Stats’ model. But the defeat pushes them to no. 7 seed, meaning if the standings hold, they will travel to Buffalo to face the juggernaut Bills in the Wild Card round.