The Broncos beat the Bears on Sunday, but they didn’t bask in any kind of glory Monday morning.
The workweek started and head coach Sean Payton gave his team a clear message about where it stands heading into preparations for the New York Jets.
“I said this to the team just 15 minutes ago. I said, ‘I’m encouraged that we fought back into that game, but man, letap not finish today when we’re done watching this tape and feel like we’re content at all with how we played,’” Payton told reporters Monday. “(We have) too many things that still are disappointing or things that we have to clean up.”
Indeed, Denver gave up 471 yards, 26 first downs and 28 points to a winless Chicago team that entered averaging 250, 15.7 and 15.7, respectively.
“Same thing offensively,” Payton said. “We stalled for a period after the first touchdown. We went through a third of the game struggling. That sense of urgency has to exist again this week. We’re going to play against a lot better teams here in the next month, month-and-a-half.”
Allen talks progress. Denver defensive lineman Zach Allen played the past four years in Arizona for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. On Monday, he said he’s confident the Broncos’ defense will get better under Joseph’s guidance.
“Everybody wants to point the finger at somebody, but at the end of the day, if you watch that Dolphins tape and you watch the first half (against Chicago), itap guys not tackling or guys not doing the right assignment,” Allen said.
“It wasn’t a question of the scheme or anything like that. A lot of people probably don’t understand the big picture. For us that doesn’t really matter. We know what we’re doing and what we’re working on. People can say whatever the hell they want but at the end of the day they’re not in the arena.
“I love him and we’re going to be fine. We’re going to do great things.”
Game balls. The Broncos on Monday morning also handed out game balls. Payton insisted he’s not going to get in the habit of talking about them, but this time around, they went to outside linebackers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, running back Jaleel McLaughlin and kicker Wil Lutz.
Bonitto and Cooper combined for 3.5 sacks, three TFLs and teamed up on a scoop-and-score touchdown that tied the game in the fourth quarter. Lutz drove home the game-winning, 51-yard field goal with 1 minute, 46 seconds remaining. McLaughlin stepped in for running back Javonte Williams (hip injury) and had 104 offensive yards and a touchdown on 10 total touches.
“It was good, but I think there’s a lot more I can do out there,” McLaughlin said. “I’ve got to get better and put the team in the best positions to win. There’s some good out there, but I will be better.”
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