Coach Sean Payton takes the blame for the missed field goal that cost the Broncos a big win at KC

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Sean Payton doesn’t want Alex Forsyth to take all the criticism for getting run over by a bulldozer Wave of Kansas City defenders and allowed linebacker Leo Chenal to block Wil Lutz’s game-winning chip-shot field goal attempt.

“It’s not the player’s fault,” Payton emphasized on Monday. “This affects us all. That’s up to us as coaches. We have to continue to ask ourselves, “Hey, are we big enough in stature for this?” and understand how the rush would come. It’s disappointing, and yet it’s nothing new when a big move is made at the end of the game.”

It was difficult for the Broncos (5-5) to find comfort in being level with the undefeated Chiefs 59:59 on Sunday after Chenal and several of his teammates broke through the left side of Denver’s field goal protection unit had to seal them Kansas City’s 16-14 win and deny Denver its biggest win in nearly a decade.

“I read all the comments afterwards,” Payton said, “and I think it’s hard to lose a game that way.”

The Chiefs (9-0) said after the game that they identified a weakness in Denver’s defensive alignment on Sunday.

“The guy I rushed was a little light on his feet,” Chenal told Pro Football Talk.

The Chiefs’ blocking unit penetrated the left side of Denver’s defensive line and nearly got their hands on Lutz’s extra point after Denver’s second touchdown. They almost did it again on a 60-yard field goal attempt by Lutz that failed just before halftime.

“We’re constantly making corrections every week,” Payton said. “Not just with the field goal unit, (but) with the offense, with some protection and with some coverage. When something like that happens, it’s pretty common for the team that had success with it to say, “Hey, we saw…” You have to thank them for that. They exploited an area that we obviously felt was tight and stronger, but not tight enough.”

Now Payton must ensure that the bitter defeat does not ruin the Broncos’ season. Even at 5-5, they are still in the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC.

In his postgame press conference, Payton said the pain of that loss would linger, but on Monday he changed his tone.

“The sky is not falling,” Payton said. “Of course there is still a lot ahead of us. We still have (seven) games left. I think this team was resilient. The sky is not falling relative to our season and schedule. We’re sitting here at 5-5 p.m. Of course we would have liked to be 6:4 with a win yesterday, but the focus is quickly on the next game.”

Payton trusts his leaders in the locker room.

“I like the leadership on this team. It’s a completely different team than it was a year ago. It’s tough – it’s tough mentally and physically,” Payton said. “Overcoming a tough loss…Listen, when you talk to the players about this, tell them, ‘Hey, this is going to happen regularly in your career.’ You hope you won some of those games that you may have thought you didn’t deserve to win.

“One way or another you have to get back on your feet.”

What works

The offense is coming together, with Bo Nix getting better every week and Payton adding more and more creativity while his rookie quarterback shows signs of growth. Sunday’s highlights included speedy returner/receiver Marvin Mims Jr. lining up in the backfield for handoffs and the introduction of rookie Audric Estime as Denver’s leading running back.

What needs help

Final games. The first 59-59 showed how close the Broncos are to keeping pace with the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. The last second showed how far they are from the actual goal.

Stock up

Nothing. He outplayed Patrick Mahomes and did a great job with 5:37 left in the final, converting three third downs and ensuring Mahomes wouldn’t get his hands on the ball again after the Chiefs took their first lead of the game. The only thing Nix couldn’t do was make sure Chenal wouldn’t get his hands on the ball at the end.

Inventory reduced

Special teams coach Ben Kotwica’s squad has been completely out of sorts this season. But Sunday’s failure was monumental and could define the season, especially if the Broncos fail to make the playoffs for the ninth straight season. The Broncos are currently in the hunt for seventh place along with the Bengals and Colts and have both teams still on the schedule.

Injuries

The Broncos activated C Luke Wattenberg from injured reserve on Saturday.

Key numbers

1-13 – The Broncos’ record against Patrick Mahomes, whom they sacked four times and held to a single touchdown throw on Sunday.

Next Steps

The Broncos host the Atlanta Falcons (6-4) on Sunday.

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