NFL59 min ago2 minute read

Sean Payton Demands Faster Starts After Broncos Rally Past Rams

Sean Payton wants the Broncos to fix their slow starts after Denver pulled off a 30-26 comeback win against the Rams.

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Another Wild Finish in Denver

The Denver Broncos pulled off another second half comeback on Sunday, beating the Los Angeles Rams 30-26. After failing to score in the first half, Denver responded with 30 points after the break to secure the win.

The victory moved the Broncos to 2-1 on the season. Denver went a league record 11-2 in one score games last year and has started 2-0 in such contests this season. Quarterback Bo Nix secured his 10th come from behind fourth quarter victory since the start of the 2024 season. That stands as the highest total in the NFL across that period.

"A good team finish, it just feels like our DNA," Nix said after the game.

Payton Demands Faster Starts

Even with the win, head coach Sean Payton stressed that Denver cannot make a habit of falling behind early. The Rams outgained the Broncos 482 yards to 257 yards and ran 22 more plays on the day.

At halftime, Denver trailed 16-0 and managed only 67 net yards of offense, while Nix completed 6 of 12 passes for 53 yards.

Payton said that kind of start will cost the team in bigger matchups. He added that while he is comfortable with the grit of a roster that plays well late, he is uncomfortable with how the team plays at the start.

Wide receiver Courtland Sutton looked at the positive side of the late pressure. "Pressure makes diamonds, or bursts a pipe," Sutton said. "I'm just glad we made another diamond."

Defense and Turnovers Fuel the Comeback

Denver stayed in the contest thanks to solid red zone defense, holding the Rams to 1 of 4 inside the 20 yard line.

Safety Talanoa Hufanga created two second half interceptions. He returned one 66 yards for a touchdown, a moment Payton called the play of the game. The Broncos also recorded three of their four sacks on Matthew Stafford during the second half.

Nix accounted for three total touchdowns in the final two quarters, throwing for two and running for one. Payton noted that while he is excited about the win, the team still has plenty of work to do.

What it means for the next game

Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers (NFL, Sun, 04 Oct): San Francisco 49ers win 56%, Denver Broncos win 44%; projected score San Francisco 49ers 24, Denver Broncos 21. Our safest pick: Under 53.5 points.