1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: Hello, everyone, Welcome back inside Center a Hell Training center 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:05,680 Speaker 1: for another episode of Broncos Now. As always, I'm your host, 3 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:08,280 Speaker 1: Sydney Jones, and coming up on today's episode, we'll take 4 00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:10,440 Speaker 1: a look back at the broncos twenty one to twenty 5 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:12,879 Speaker 1: win over the Minnesota Vikings. We'll hear from head coach 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,400 Speaker 1: Sean Payann, and Broncos lead writer Eric Dulala joins a 7 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:18,040 Speaker 1: show for a game recap, all that more coming up. 8 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:26,840 Speaker 1: The Denver Broncos have now won four straight games and 9 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 1: improved to a five and five following a Sunday night's 10 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: win over the Minnesota Vikings. Today, we heard from head 11 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:34,840 Speaker 1: coach Sean Paan as he discussed Russell Wilson's game winning 12 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 1: drive to put the broncos up twenty one to twenty. 13 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:39,559 Speaker 2: If you went back the first time he did it, 14 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 2: you know, he probably I don't know what if you 15 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:44,239 Speaker 2: went back and saw it was in his you know, 16 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 2: first or second season, maybe it was in a preseason game. 17 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 2: Then he has a second one, and then as a 18 00:00:49,479 --> 00:00:51,480 Speaker 2: starter he has a third one, and then pretty soon, 19 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 2: you know, the group believes, and then it gets kind 20 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:58,760 Speaker 2: of back to that confidence and demonstrated ability discussion, and 21 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 2: then when you know you've had thirty seven or thirty six, 22 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 2: thirty eight, there's a clear belief that can happen again. 23 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 2: And so I think it's it's one of those things 24 00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 2: that can build confidence and momentum, and and you know, 25 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:16,440 Speaker 2: fortunately for two weeks in a row now it's it's 26 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 2: come up and been very important for US. 27 00:01:19,319 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 1: Titan Adam Troutman also spoke to the media today and 28 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 1: added to that, discussing the team's confidence in Russ in 29 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: these late game situations. 30 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:29,880 Speaker 3: So we're down going into that last drive. Was it 31 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:31,600 Speaker 3: down by five? And you know, it's like, all right, 32 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:34,640 Speaker 3: we got to get in the end zone and it 33 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:40,680 Speaker 3: was like nobody flinched, and it was a confidence thing, like, shoot, 34 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 3: we got down to I think we got to fourth 35 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 3: down right away, it didn't matter. We were confident. And 36 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 3: you know that that's that's what he's instilled in us, 37 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 3: and we feel super confident with him leaving us on 38 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 3: those two med drives. And it's not just me saying that, 39 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,680 Speaker 3: because it's proven, especially the last two weeks. 40 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 1: After watching Sunday Nights film, both head coach Sean Payn 41 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 1: and Adam Trutman discussed what they need to clean up 42 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: on offense. 43 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 2: Five field goals. You know, our red zone production, our 44 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 2: third down production. First off, But last night was disappointing 45 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:16,800 Speaker 2: watching the film. You know, we knew it was a 46 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 2: complex defense relative to what they did, but you know, 47 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:23,919 Speaker 2: I felt like we didn't defend the run the way 48 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 2: we wanted to. We certainly didn't score enough points the 49 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 2: way we wanted to, and the turnovers gave us a 50 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 2: chance to win the game. That's the reality of it. 51 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 2: There's a lot of things you have to improve upon, 52 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:43,920 Speaker 2: and obviously in this league it's all about winning, and 53 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:48,080 Speaker 2: that that can kind of get masked sometimes in the 54 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 2: wrong culture. That can get masked by winning. But even 55 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 2: though you know you win, there's a lot of stuff that. 56 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 3: Needs to get cleaned up a lot on offense because 57 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 3: you can't just rely on the like we were. I mean, 58 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 3: we've relied on the defense and they're playing they're probably 59 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 3: they look like the best events in the league right now, 60 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 3: and so yeah, we need to we need to flip 61 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 3: the script fast on offense and just be able to 62 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 3: move the ball better, be more consistent, be better than 63 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 3: third down, and be red in red zone. So quickly 64 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:18,600 Speaker 3: the unit, we just need. 65 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 1: To progress and defensively, Head coach Champayne also talked about 66 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 1: what he hopes to see that unit clean up, specifically 67 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:25,160 Speaker 1: their run defense. 68 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 2: At times you're playing, uh, a single safety defense, we 69 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 2: should be, you know, in a single gap. Look, so 70 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:38,480 Speaker 2: our gap integrity wasn't clean the way it needed to be. 71 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 2: And you know, when that happens, and and teams that 72 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:47,360 Speaker 2: run the ball hit a gap where you're where you're 73 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 2: not where you're supposed to be end up with an 74 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 2: eight yard game instead of a two yard game. 75 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 1: Certainly, the bright spot on defense has been their takeaways 76 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 1: twelve over the past three games, and four of those 77 00:03:57,560 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 1: have come from cornerback ja Kwan McMillan. 78 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 2: You know, sometimes there's certain players the ball finds them, 79 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:05,880 Speaker 2: and you know, he seems to have some of those traits, 80 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 2: and so you know, proud of how he's played and 81 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 2: how he's worked and and uh, you know, his enthusiastics 82 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 2: kind of contagious, and I think he's brought a lot 83 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 2: to the defense. 84 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:19,440 Speaker 1: We also heard from cornerback Jay Coon McMillan as he 85 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:21,599 Speaker 1: detailed his takeaways the past several games. 86 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:23,920 Speaker 4: Just when I just tell you, like when you when 87 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 4: you're doing stuff right and you're just doing your job, 88 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:29,039 Speaker 4: and the balls are going to find you. Football guys 89 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,480 Speaker 4: want to bless you, you know. So I just try to 90 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:33,919 Speaker 4: keep just do what I was supposed to do, my 91 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:38,000 Speaker 4: job and uh and the players will come and I 92 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 4: just uh depend on the help, my help or the defense. 93 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:44,919 Speaker 4: Just do it what the coaches asking them what they do, 94 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:46,760 Speaker 4: and they gonna put me in the right position every time. 95 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 4: And about the ball is gonna continue to find me. 96 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 1: Now, joining me here inside the Broncos podcast studio for 97 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:53,840 Speaker 1: a game recap is Bronco's lead writer Eric Dela Eric, 98 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:54,839 Speaker 1: thanks for joining me today. 99 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 5: You got it, said another win. 100 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:58,839 Speaker 1: I know the Broncos have won four straight now, Eric, 101 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 1: first time since sixteen. 102 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:04,000 Speaker 6: That's right, said my first four games working for the organization. 103 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 5: It's been a long time. 104 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:07,279 Speaker 1: It has been a long time. I have not seen 105 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 1: that since I've been here. 106 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 6: No, a lot of guys in the locker room haven't 107 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:14,360 Speaker 6: seen there. But they've they've they've found a way to 108 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:16,040 Speaker 6: get it done here. The last few weeks hasn't always 109 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:18,760 Speaker 6: been pretty, certainly wasn't pretty last night. But I think 110 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 6: there's something cool about winning when you're not playing your 111 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 6: best football. I think that's kind of a sign of 112 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 6: a good team that you can find ways to win 113 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 6: football games. And Broncos did that on Sunday Night Football. 114 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:32,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think so too, Eric, Another nail biting finished 115 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 1: for this team. They like to keep us on the 116 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:35,600 Speaker 1: edge of of our seats. 117 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 5: Had to watch. 118 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:41,840 Speaker 6: Yeah, yeah, it's fun, anxious, you go through moments. I 119 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:44,719 Speaker 6: think Justin Simmons said last night, you know, it seemed 120 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 6: dark there for a little bit, and certainly at a 121 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:49,279 Speaker 6: period of time you're like, uh, oh, this is the 122 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:51,480 Speaker 6: streak's coming to an end. But they they made big 123 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:54,760 Speaker 6: plays when it mattered, and yeah, you know there's a 124 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 6: few plays here or there. Justin Simmons always says this 125 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 6: that determine the outcome of a football game, and they 126 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 6: went in the Broncos favor. Denver stepped up when they 127 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 6: needed to on defense, had a big drive on offense, 128 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:07,880 Speaker 6: and they won the football game. 129 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:10,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, Eric, you mentioned it, that game winning drive for 130 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:12,760 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson another one from him there. I know we 131 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 1: heard earlier in the show from head coach n pay 132 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:17,960 Speaker 1: In just about Russ's ability to just come up big 133 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 1: in these really huge key moments for the team, and 134 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 1: he contributed that to just confidence and you know, demonstrated 135 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 1: abilities so many things that this team has talked about 136 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:27,440 Speaker 1: over the course of the season. 137 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 6: Yeah, I mean Russ now leads the NFL and fourth 138 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 6: quarter comebacks and game winning drives this season, and I 139 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:35,680 Speaker 6: think the belief in what Russ can do and what 140 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 6: this offense can do is high. We heard Adam Trumpman, 141 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 6: So even on fourth down when it's looking bleak, these 142 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:44,360 Speaker 6: guys aren't worried, they're not stressed out, and they've done 143 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:46,679 Speaker 6: it before. And I think when you've gone down the field, 144 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 6: you know, a couple of weeks ago and you get 145 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:53,400 Speaker 6: a big win against the Bills last week, it feels 146 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 6: like a couple of weeks ago. 147 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 5: Does and get a game winning field goal. 148 00:06:56,400 --> 00:07:00,080 Speaker 6: That breeds confidence, and you do it against Chicago, so 149 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 6: helps you feel better. You know, you're able to put 150 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:06,160 Speaker 6: together some big drives against Kansas City and they're in 151 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:09,040 Speaker 6: a win. I mean, those sorts of things help you 152 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 6: feel like you can do it again, and the Broncos 153 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 6: showed that ability. I do think given the kind of 154 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 6: the stakes of the game, the Broncos being able to 155 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 6: get back to five and five win four games in 156 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:22,760 Speaker 6: a row. Like you said, for the first time since 157 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:25,080 Speaker 6: twenty sixteen. I think you've got to put it right 158 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:27,680 Speaker 6: up there with the best drives Russell Wilson's had since 159 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 6: he's been in Denver. 160 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:30,880 Speaker 5: I think it's arguably number one. 161 00:07:30,960 --> 00:07:33,320 Speaker 6: I mean, maybe you look back at the San Francisco 162 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 6: game a year ago in Week three, but stakes of 163 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 6: that game, I don't know if. 164 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:40,160 Speaker 5: I mean, it was a big win. 165 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:41,920 Speaker 6: They can make no mistake about that, but I think 166 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 6: this team has a you know, it's later in the 167 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 6: season and just to keep the streak going, I think 168 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 6: maybe it means a little bit more. 169 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 5: And it was an impressive drive. 170 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 6: Some a JP run, made some great plays, Courtland Sutton 171 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 6: with a big catch, so everybody contributed and Bronco's again, 172 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 6: it wasn't pretty on offense, but they scored when they 173 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 6: needed to. 174 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, Eric going off that the big one of the 175 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 1: big topics of conversation today is just needing to clean 176 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 1: up this offense moving forward. I know head coach on Payton, 177 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 1: he talked about third down, you know, red zone efficiency. 178 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:12,720 Speaker 1: What do you think will be key to kind of 179 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 1: improving those situations moving forward? 180 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean one. 181 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 6: I think it's important to note that scoring is kind 182 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 6: of down across the league, and these big plays are down, 183 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 6: and so you are going to find yourselves in some 184 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 6: grinded out type of games. Certainly this week against Cleveland. 185 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 6: It wouldn't surprise me if it's the same type of thing. 186 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:30,480 Speaker 6: The Vikings bring a lot of pressure. They're a difficult 187 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 6: defense to play against. It's a good, good football team. Yeah, 188 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:36,240 Speaker 6: so I think that's part of it. Obviously, you want 189 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 6: to be better than two for twelve on third down 190 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,080 Speaker 6: or whatever they finish and one of five in the 191 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 6: red zone. 192 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 5: You have to be better there. 193 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:45,880 Speaker 6: I do think if you look at it, there are 194 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:48,880 Speaker 6: a couple of times where you know, Russ has a 195 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:50,680 Speaker 6: third down pass to Jerry Judy in the end zone 196 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 6: and whether it's defender getting there a little bit earlier, 197 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:55,840 Speaker 6: Jerry just not being able to haul it in, that 198 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 6: changes kind of the narrative of the game or point, 199 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 6: you know, having a you know it's third and one, 200 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:06,080 Speaker 6: having a penalty that negates first down in the red zone, 201 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:08,680 Speaker 6: that changes the narrative of how you're doing. So there 202 00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 6: are kind of fine margins there that the Broncos obviously 203 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:16,600 Speaker 6: need to correct execution needs to be a little bit better. 204 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:18,719 Speaker 6: They have to get rid of some of these penalties. 205 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:21,720 Speaker 6: But I do think it's encouraging it. In the big moments, 206 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 6: the Broncos are coming through. They're avoiding turnovers, which is 207 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 6: a big thing. You know, it might not be the flashy, 208 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:32,679 Speaker 6: exciting style of football at all times, and you might 209 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 6: have to take checkdowns and pick up you know, three 210 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:38,800 Speaker 6: or four yard carries here or there. But when you 211 00:09:38,840 --> 00:09:41,640 Speaker 6: avoid turnovers, you give yourself an extra possession obviously because 212 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 6: you're not giving it away, and can help normally control 213 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 6: time of possession. Obviously that didn't happen last night, but 214 00:09:49,120 --> 00:09:50,599 Speaker 6: those are the things that Broncos are doing well in 215 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:53,079 Speaker 6: terms of not turning it over coming up big in 216 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 6: the big moments. But yeah, to find success the rest 217 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:59,480 Speaker 6: of the year, have to get back to running the football. Well, 218 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 6: we heard Adam Trump and say they're not really worried 219 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 6: about that. They think they'll be able to get back 220 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:07,120 Speaker 6: to that and then just kind of make those key 221 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:10,319 Speaker 6: plays on third down. And we've seen times this year 222 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 6: said where the Broncos have been very good on third down, 223 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:16,240 Speaker 6: particularly third and short. I did think there were a 224 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 6: number of opportunities last night where the Broncos had third 225 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:22,120 Speaker 6: and short and just weren't able to convert. You'd like 226 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 6: to believe that maybe flips a little bit, but it 227 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 6: is at times just going to be. It's still a 228 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 6: work in progress, right We're only ten games into the 229 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:32,760 Speaker 6: Sean Payton era, still figuring things out a little bit. 230 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:35,599 Speaker 6: But as long as they come up big in the 231 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 6: big moments and don't turn the ball over, they're going 232 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 6: to be in football games. 233 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:40,679 Speaker 1: Yep, Eric, you mentioned it. You know, this offense being 234 00:10:40,720 --> 00:10:44,040 Speaker 1: able to limit turnovers and then this defense getting the ball, 235 00:10:44,120 --> 00:10:45,800 Speaker 1: taking the ball away. I mean, that's been a huge 236 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:48,120 Speaker 1: factor to these wins. So I want to talk about 237 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 1: the defense for a little bit. I mean twelve takeaways 238 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 1: in the past three games, three of those last night 239 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 1: versus the Vikings, and then they got that huge stop 240 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:57,240 Speaker 1: on the final drive of the game. I mean, the 241 00:10:57,280 --> 00:10:59,319 Speaker 1: Broncos wouldn't be in the position they are right now 242 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 1: without that unit. 243 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 6: No, and you know, the takeaways, I think people kind 244 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:06,559 Speaker 6: of look at it and say, oh, is this sustainable 245 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:09,720 Speaker 6: or are you able to do this moving forward? Maybe 246 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 6: not at the rate they're doing it at, but I 247 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:15,320 Speaker 6: do think you look at two of the takeaways yesterday. 248 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:18,240 Speaker 6: You look at the force fumble on the first Vikings 249 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 6: drive of the game. That was just good technique by 250 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:22,920 Speaker 6: Baron Browning. You know they're holding the runner up, holding. 251 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:24,920 Speaker 5: Josh Shops up able to rip the ball away. 252 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:30,480 Speaker 6: The Jaquon McMillan interception that was again another example of 253 00:11:30,480 --> 00:11:32,839 Speaker 6: getting pressure on the quarterback. You're playing a guy who 254 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:35,800 Speaker 6: has been a reserve for most of his career, who 255 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:38,440 Speaker 6: you think you can probably force into some mistakes and 256 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:40,959 Speaker 6: you're able to get a red zone interception or rather 257 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,000 Speaker 6: an interception that puts you in the red zone on offense. 258 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:45,959 Speaker 6: And so as you move forward, you're going to face 259 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 6: another rookie quarterback this week, it looks like maybe you 260 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:51,840 Speaker 6: can get put some pressure on him, force another turnover 261 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:57,160 Speaker 6: or two. So I do think it's sustainable from that standpoint. Now, 262 00:11:57,240 --> 00:11:59,120 Speaker 6: the rush defense definitely has to get better, and it 263 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:02,160 Speaker 6: doesn't look like, at least from Sean Payton's perspective, that 264 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:04,440 Speaker 6: it's the same issues as earlier in the season. But 265 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:06,719 Speaker 6: you certainly can't give up seventy two rushing yards in 266 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:08,319 Speaker 6: the first quarter, and you can't give up one hundred 267 00:12:08,320 --> 00:12:10,400 Speaker 6: and seventy five over the course of the game. You've 268 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:14,080 Speaker 6: got to be better there. But the red zone defense 269 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 6: still been good for the most part. So that is 270 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 6: encouraging and it does seem like maybe that's just a 271 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 6: hallmark of this defense rather than an aberration of sorts. 272 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 6: And then, like you mentioned, the final drive was impressive 273 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:29,319 Speaker 6: just in terms of the Broncos' ability to get pressure. 274 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:33,000 Speaker 6: And you know, you've got some quarterbacks coming up, a 275 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:37,160 Speaker 6: rookie this week, a rookie in Houston, where maybe if 276 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 6: you get a lead, you're able to force some mistakes 277 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 6: and whether it's a big stop at the end of 278 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:45,360 Speaker 6: the game or a turnover, find a way to make 279 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:47,720 Speaker 6: some plays. And so yeah, I'm excited about what this 280 00:12:47,800 --> 00:12:50,560 Speaker 6: defense is doing. Just got to keep it going. Maybe 281 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 6: hone in on some fundamentals tackling a little bit, but 282 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:55,959 Speaker 6: you're right, there are a big reason why the Broncos 283 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:56,679 Speaker 6: have won four straight. 284 00:12:57,080 --> 00:12:59,360 Speaker 1: And Will Let's we got to talk about kicker Will Lets, 285 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:02,160 Speaker 1: I mean five field goals for him on Sunday night. 286 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 1: And just overall, you know, special teams really turned things 287 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:07,760 Speaker 1: around from their last performance versus Bills. 288 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:10,199 Speaker 6: Yeah, it was much better, and there weren't kind of 289 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 6: the mistakes obviously, the fake punt is the one kind of. 290 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:19,199 Speaker 5: You know, aberration there or the one area that you're 291 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:20,320 Speaker 5: got about that me to clean up. 292 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:24,520 Speaker 6: Yeah, it was a big one that you hope that 293 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 6: Broncos can get fixed. And that was just a gutsy 294 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:28,439 Speaker 6: call by Kevin O'Connell. Unlessen other teams are going to 295 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 6: make plays. And the defense did well after that to 296 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 6: force a field goal and get a stop. But yeah, 297 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 6: I think you saw at the end of the first half, 298 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:39,200 Speaker 6: Will Let's makes a fifty plus yarder as time expires. 299 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:42,160 Speaker 6: That was a big play in the game. Didn't miss 300 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 6: any of his five kicks, a career high for him, 301 00:13:44,559 --> 00:13:47,120 Speaker 6: able to kind of hang in there, and after a 302 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:49,200 Speaker 6: not so good performance from the just kind of the 303 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:52,960 Speaker 6: operation a week ago, it was clean this week. Broncos 304 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:55,840 Speaker 6: obviously don't win without Will Loots going five for five. 305 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 6: John Payton gave him a game ball after the win, so. 306 00:13:59,280 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 5: That's all important. 307 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:04,839 Speaker 6: Then, listen, some of these plays are not they're not glamorous, 308 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 6: they're not exciting. It's not necessarily thrilling to get a 309 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 6: field goal and cut it to ten to six or 310 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:12,440 Speaker 6: ten to nine or whatever, but they keep you in 311 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:13,160 Speaker 6: the football game. 312 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:14,240 Speaker 1: They're getting the job done. 313 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:17,559 Speaker 6: And the Vikings had a lot of opportunities in the 314 00:14:17,559 --> 00:14:19,320 Speaker 6: football game to put it away. I think of you know, 315 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 6: it's third quarter, they're up eight, They've got the ball 316 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:24,920 Speaker 6: on the Broncos side of the field and points there. 317 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 6: You know, maybe it ends the football game, Broncos force 318 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:31,000 Speaker 6: a fumble and again go down and get a field goal. 319 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:34,080 Speaker 6: But at the same time, you hang around in that game. 320 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 6: In the NFL, if you don't put teams in a way, 321 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:39,240 Speaker 6: you're going to pay for it. And the Vikings last 322 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:41,520 Speaker 6: night paid for it because the Broncos came back. They 323 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 6: had one opportunity, one chance to do something. Made it happen. 324 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 1: All right, Eric, last one for you here. You know, 325 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:48,880 Speaker 1: now that the Broncos sit at five and five, you know, 326 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:50,840 Speaker 1: seven weeks left of the season, what's kind of the 327 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:52,280 Speaker 1: playoff picture look like right now? 328 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 5: Oh my gosh, it's crowded. 329 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:53,800 Speaker 4: Yeah. 330 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:56,240 Speaker 6: In AFC, you got to keep winning. I think that's 331 00:14:56,320 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 6: the number one thing this team. You know, when Glinch, 332 00:15:00,440 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 6: you said before this win, it's not time to stop 333 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:04,360 Speaker 6: and smell the roses and be all excited about what 334 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 6: we've done so far. I think the nature of the 335 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:09,440 Speaker 6: way they won this football game will kind of keep 336 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:12,400 Speaker 6: them focused. As Sean Payton said on Monday, hey, there's 337 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:13,560 Speaker 6: a lot to clean up here. 338 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:15,000 Speaker 5: And it's not just coach speak. 339 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 6: I think you look at the box score and you 340 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 6: realize the Broncos could have very easily lost this football game. 341 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:20,840 Speaker 5: They want it. 342 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 6: It's great to win when you're maybe not supposed to 343 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:25,800 Speaker 6: win when you don't have your best stuff, But yeah, 344 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 6: keep winning. Obviously AFC games are going to be critical. 345 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:31,240 Speaker 6: So this week's game against the Browns, who are in 346 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 6: that wild card mix, a game against the Texans coming up, 347 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 6: who are in that wild card mix, those are both 348 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:40,960 Speaker 6: critical games. You still got three division games left, you 349 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 6: might have to win all three. Yeah, yeah, I mean 350 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 6: I think I saw something that the Broncos schedule the 351 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 6: rest of the way is sixteenth in the league, so 352 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 6: it's not it's not terrible, but the margin freerrs obviously slim, 353 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:57,200 Speaker 6: and I think that that, again is where the one 354 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:58,600 Speaker 6: in five start comes in. 355 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:00,360 Speaker 5: You're not going to have the wiggle room. 356 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 6: You can't just kind of, you know, have an off 357 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 6: week and drop one. 358 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:05,960 Speaker 5: But if the Broncos. 359 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 6: Can you know, maybe can they go five and two 360 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,600 Speaker 6: down the stretch, That would probably be enough, depending on 361 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:13,840 Speaker 6: who those losses are too. And you know, you never 362 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 6: want to guarantee anything, but if the Broncos can play 363 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 6: a little bit better than they played on offense, find 364 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:21,400 Speaker 6: a way to grind out a win over the Browns, 365 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:23,360 Speaker 6: it would be a huge step in the right direction. 366 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:24,240 Speaker 5: I think that's the key. 367 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 6: One week at a time, find a way to win, 368 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 6: and each week get a little bit closer to that goal. 369 00:16:29,880 --> 00:16:32,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, it's fun talking about wins in here. Eric. 370 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:33,560 Speaker 1: It is been nice the past couple of weeks. 371 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:35,360 Speaker 5: Yeah, it's been like a month's has great. 372 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:37,760 Speaker 1: It is great. Well, appreciate you joining the show today, Eric, 373 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:39,400 Speaker 1: you got it said. That's going to do it for 374 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 1: today's episode of Broncos Now Broncos Country. Thanks so much 375 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 1: for tuning in. Le meet you right back here on 376 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: the Broncos Podcast Network in YouTube, but tomorrow for another episode. 377 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 1: I'll see you all then.