In the world of the NFL, Sean Payton is a name that carries weight. As he enters Year 2 at the helm of the Denver Broncos, he knows that there is much work to be done. One key area of focus for Payton is the team’s poor performance in the red zone, especially in goal-to-go situations.
During a press conference on Monday, Payton did not mince his words when addressing the issue. He bluntly stated, “There’s a number of things (to blame), and we’ve got to do a better job as coaches. We were talking about first-and-goal inside the 9-[yard line], we’ve got to do a much better job, and we will… There’s a combination — if we went back and went through the whole self-scout, I could give you the 11 things that we didn’t do well.”
The statistics paint a grim picture for the Broncos. Last season, they ranked 20th in red-zone efficiency, a number that plummeted to a dismal 30th in goal-to-go situations, according to TruMedia. Denver’s struggles were widespread, encompassing issues with huddle management, run blocking, pass protection, ineffective short-yardage running plays, missed opportunities with receivers, and more.
This downturn in red-zone performance is particularly surprising given Payton’s track record of success in this area during his tenure in New Orleans. The Broncos were expected to excel in the red zone under his leadership, but instead, they fell short in a major way.
While some of the blame could be placed on Russell Wilson for his play in the red zone last season, the lack of a strong rushing attack is likely a more significant factor. Denver ranked 30th in goal-to-go rushing efficiency, with starting running back Javonte Williams struggling to make an impact. In his 16 goal-to-go rushes, Williams managed a mere 15 yards, a disappointing statistic highlighted by The Athletic.
As Payton and the Broncos look ahead to the upcoming season, the pressure is on to turn things around in the red zone. The team cannot afford a repeat of last year’s failures, and Payton knows that he must make significant improvements in order to get the Broncos back on track. With the right adjustments and a renewed focus on executing in the red zone, Denver may be able to reclaim their status as a formidable force in goal-to-go situations. Only time will tell if Payton and his team can rise to the challenge and overcome their red-zone woes.
