The cracks are starting to show in Sean Payton’s ambitious rebuild, and they just burst into full public view. And the sideline tension was impossible to miss. In their Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts last night, a rare leverage penalty on a final 60-yard field goal attempt flipped the game on its head, and the Colts won 29-28. Just moments after that heartbreaking last-second defeat, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix were seen exchanging heated words, their frustration evident for everyone to witness.

Payton pressed Nix on what he saw, wanting to know the reasoning behind his decision. Nix walked away abruptly after giving him an answer, only to return and clarify his thoughts, clearly shaken by how the game had slipped through their fingers. This moment showcased the intensity between the coach and quarterback, emphasizing the rising stakes. “Good teams bounce back from that,” Nix stated after the game. Both were adamant that the team couldn’t dwell on this loss, as Box Nix further said, “Great teams don’t do that, don’t beat themselves.”

Payton didn’t hide his disappointment afterward. “We did a lot of things in that game to keep us from winning,” he remarked. “Watching that film is going to be painful,” he added, referring to the upcoming review as “tough.” The Broncos were just seconds away from victory when that rare leverage penalty turned everything upside down. As the Colts prepared for a desperate 60-yard field goal, officials flagged Eyioma Uwazurike for using a teammate to gain height, a violation known as “leverage.” Instead of sealing the win with a missed kick, the Colts were awarded 15 yards and a new chance. Spencer Shrader then nailed the game-winner, leaving Denver stunned with a final score of 29-28.

Nix accepted his share of the blame. He admitted the late collapse, saying, “(It) started with my turnover,” referring to his fourth-quarter interception deep in Colts territory. “I just missed,” he said simply. That blunder wasted a scoring opportunity and set off a chain reaction—a missed field goal, a careless penalty, and ultimately, the crushing leverage call. Nix, who had thrown three touchdowns in the first half, noted that the team “lost momentum” the instant the ball slipped from his grip.

Next up, the Broncos head to Southern California to face the Los Angeles Chargers in a pivotal AFC West clash. After Sunday’s unraveling, the pressure to respond is unmistakable.

Sean Payton’s offense shines, but Vance Joseph’s defense crumbles in Broncos’ loss

The Denver Broncos walked out of Indianapolis Colts territory empty-handed after a chaotic loss in Week 2, a game that saw momentum swing back and forth before it all came crashing down in the final moments. It was a display of sharp offensive strategy that ultimately fell apart due to defensive mistakes and costly blunders.

Sean Payton’s offense looked energized from the opening snap. Bo Nix bounced back impressively, throwing three touchdowns in the first half and commanding the field with confidence and accuracy. Payton relied on the run game, and J.K. Dobbins delivered with 76 yards on 14 carries. Everything seemed to flow smoothly at first, with a nice mix of tempo and balance that kept the Colts off their game.

But as the pressure increased, the unit faltered. Nix’s interception in the fourth quarter while deep in Colts territory halted a promising drive, and penalties on Dobbins and Adam Trautman stalled another opportunity. Denver managed to score just once in the second half, wasting several chances to seal the deal.

On the other side, Vance Joseph’s defense struggled to find its rhythm. They tightened up in the red zone but gave up yards all over the field, allowing a staggering 473 yards, one of their worst performances in recent memory. Jonathan Taylor sliced through them for 165 rushing yards, while Tyler Warren managed to slip past multiple tackles on big plays. Even dependable Patrick Surtain II found himself targeted repeatedly by Daniel Jones, who enjoyed a clean pocket throughout the game.

The special teams were solid but not particularly memorable. Rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw did well to pin the Colts deep, and the coverage teams held their ground, but Wil Lutz’s missed 42-yarder in the fourth quarter loomed large.

Payton’s play-calling displayed both growth and creativity, but with the defense unraveling, it just wasn’t enough. The Broncos left with glimpses of potential. And the bitter taste of a 0-2 start.