The Broncos got a cleaner response than a lot of teams might have after a week dominated by questions about a playcaller switch, and Sean Payton came away impressed with the way his group handled it.
Payton said the offense stayed together through a tricky stretch and credited the players for sorting through the noise. “I think those guys compartmentalized it pretty well.
I met with the offense, but we didn’t have a big team meeting. But (Webb) had a good week considering, and it’s difficult.
It’s really difficult and I appreciate him. He’ll look back at some point, and I’ve said this, ‘we’re all a little bit out of whack, relative to our profession.”
(Mike Klis)
He stopped short of breaking down Bo Nix’s first five games in detail, but he did admit the operation has a long way to go. “there’s a ton of things we’re not doing well.” (Chris Tomasson)
Payton also downplayed the idea that J.K. Dobbins’ heavier workload in Week 5 came from him taking over offensive playcalling. Troy Renck reported that Dobbins implied as much, but Payton said the game just unfolded that way.
Out in Los Angeles, Jim Harbaugh is staring at a much harsher picture. The Chargers are 0-5 and need to knock off the Chiefs just to avoid entering their bye at 0-6, and Harbaugh has been openly searching for answers while carrying the frustration of a rough start.
“I can’t think of a time where I’ve been more mad at myself,” Harbaugh said, via Anthony Gharib of ESPN. “This team works so hard, played so valiantly.
And yeah, I take 100% accountability for making that decision and turned the momentum of the game. So it was the wrong one, and I got to be right on those.”
He doubled down on that self-critique moments later. “Really, right now the only thing I can think of is I screwed that up; that’s really the only thing going through my mind,” Harbaugh added.
“Because the playmaking, the stops, the momentum was in our favor. And yeah, wrong decision.
Both of them. When they don’t work, that’s my accountability…Yeah, I don’t know what that message is.
The players just fight their hearts out, play, give it everything they have. That’s the only way, that’s the best way.”
For the Raiders, the biggest note was a first taste of NFL action for Fernando Mendoza. The quarterback entered late in the blowout loss to the Patriots and finished 6-of-8 for 48 yards in his debut.
He also couldn’t pick up a first down on his first career run, but the moment still mattered to him. Head coach Klint Kubiak is sticking with the current starter, so there’s no change coming under center.
In Other News...
Chargers Loss Just Added Fuel To Denvers Bo Nix Debate
The Broncos got the kind of win that should quiet a few arguments, but instead it only sharpened the one around Bo Nix. Denver beat the Chargers with Nix still in place at quarterback, yet the postgame conversation quickly shifted away from the result and back to how he looked doing it, with criticism following him even in a victory.
Nix was Denvers first-round pick in 2024 and remains under contract through 2027, so the organization has time before any real decision point arrives. Still, the longer his passer rating trends down and the offense stays below average, the harder it becomes to sell the idea that a long-term extension is coming anytime soon, no matter how the standings read in the moment. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Fans Need To Watch Seattles Injury Report Closely Thursday
The Seahawks did not practice Monday, but they still put out an estimated injury report for Thursday Night Football against the Broncos, and that kind of early-week snapshot can tell you plenty about how Seattle is lining up for a short-week matchup. For Denver fans, it is the sort of document worth reading closely, especially with players working back into the picture and others expected to be available despite the abbreviated preparation.
Irv Charles is aiming to make his debut after a stint on injured reserve, while George Holani is expected to play, giving Seattle a few more offensive options to monitor before kickoff. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Zach Charbonnet also showed up on the report with injury designations, which leaves the Seahawks with some uncertainty as they head toward Thursday and keeps the Broncos guessing a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos O-Line Pressure Is Building After Another Worrying Start
The Broncos are 3-2, but the record has not quieted the concern around an offensive line that has looked shaky far too often in the seasons first five games. The trouble has centered on the interior, where left guard and center have become the spots drawing the most scrutiny as Denver tries to get both its run game and pass protection on steadier ground.
Ben Powers and Luke Wattenberg have not given the unit the consistency the Broncos need, and the pressure is starting to build for a change. Alex Palczewski and Alex Forsyth are at least part of the conversation now as Denver looks for a combination that can hold up better up front and help an offense that still feels like it is searching for its best version. [Read more 🡒]