Payton: Broncos can't keep relying on comebacks

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  Jeff LegwoldSep 28, 2026, 02:22 AM ET

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  Jeff Legwold covers the Denver Broncos at ESPN. He has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years and also assists with NFL draft coverage, joining ESPN in 2013. He has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999, too. Jeff previously covered the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans at previous stops prior to ESPN.

DENVER -- Broncos coach Sean Payton had the relieved look Sunday night of a man who had just been pulled out of deep water after Denver rebounded from a dismal first half to score 30 points in the second in a 30-26 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Empower Field at Mile High.

The Broncos (2-1), who were a league-record 11-2 in one-score games last season, are now 2-0 in one-score games this season. Quarterback Bo Nix was behind center for his 10th come-from-behind, fourth-quarter win since the start of the 2024 season -- the most in the NFL over that span.

But Payton still would like for such comebacks to not be a habit.

"I'm pleased with how we responded,'' Payton said. "But we can't, like -- that'll cost us in bigger games. ... It will be something we're frustrated about later if we can't clean it up.

"I'm comfortable with the grit of a team that can play well in the fourth quarter,'' Payton continued. "I'm uncomfortable with how we play at the start of games. ... You're going to be in tight games, but as the head coach you can't possibly be comfortable with the way the first half unfolded.''

The Broncos had just 67 net yards of offense in the first half Sunday, compared to the Rams' 273 before halftime, while Nix was just 6-of-12 passing for 53 yards in the first two quarters as the Broncos trailed 16-0. And while the Broncos were eventually outgained by 225 yards in the game (482 to 257) and ran 22 fewer plays than the Rams did (80-62), the Broncos defense held Los Angeles to just 1-of-4 in red zone trips.

"We have to find a way to play better earlier,'' Payton said. "That area needs to get better.''

"Pressure makes diamonds, or bursts a pipe,'' Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. "I'm just glad we made another diamond.''

Safety Talanoa Hufanga had two second-half interceptions, including one he returned 66 yards for a touchdown -- which Payton called "the play of the game'' -- and the Broncos had three of their four sacks of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the second half.

Add on Nix's three second-half touchdowns -- two passing, one rushing -- and the league's most proficient escape artists of the past two seasons had escaped once again.

"A good team finish, it just feels like our DNA,'' Nix said.

"There's just a lot I think we can be better at,'' Payton said. "We're not there, I'm excited about the win, but man, tough first half, that has to be better.''