Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s return to calling the team’s offensive plays didn’t result in a change on that side of the ball against the Chargers on Sunday.
The Broncos scored a touchdown on their second offensive possession of the game, but their next eight possessions featured six first downs and three scores along with a turnover, a missed field goal and four punts. Two Chargers turnovers and a failed fourth down attempt gave the Broncos a short field that turned into 13 points that erased the Chargers’ lead and lifted them to a 23-17 road win.
The Broncos were 1-of-12 on third down and their 224 yards of offense were their fewest since Week 1, so it’s no surprise that Payton’s main focus after the game was on the final score rather than overall offensive production.
“It is enough to winbut there are still some things we need to improve on,” Payton said.
Payton said there are “small steps” in the right direction, but they’ll need to be clearer and more consistent moving forward for the Broncos to put to rest any concerns about the state of the offense.