Broncos HC Sean Payton Delivers Blunt Truth About Chiefs
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on during a game against the Houston Texans.
The Denver Broncos rank fourth in fourth-quarter points per game through 10 weeks this season. However, Broncos head coach Sean Payton is concerned with how his team has performed during the other three frames in games, which rank no better than 15th (1Q).
The Broncos face their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, in Week 11, and Payton has already set the tone for how significant this matchup is.
They have much larger goals, though, and reaching them will require cleaning up their issues.
Sean Payton Triples Down on Chiefs Praise
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on during a game against the Houston Texans.
Payton was again presented with a question about the Chiefs, this time regarding the differences between this year’s team and those of seasons past. There was not much to critique.
That is particularly true with wide receiver Rashee Rice back from a six-game suspension.
“There’s a reason this team has won for a long period of time,” Payton told reporters on November 12. “It’s talent, it’s coaching, it’s a program, it’s a GM, it’s ownership, and that’s where we’re aspiring to go.”
The first thing Payton cited was the Chiefs’ “consistency” through the years. He also noted that they are playing good “complementary football.”
They have been frequent visitors to the red zone this season.
The Chiefs have the third-highest conversion rate on the fifth-most red zone trips, per Pro Football Reference. The Broncos have frequently been lauded for having many, if not all, of the components Payton mentioned for KC.
Putting it all together for a full 60 minutes is their next challenge. A win in Week 11 could vault Payton and the Broncos into another stratosphere mentally.
To get it, they must properly address the issues they have encountered early in games.
Sean Payton Delivers Reality Check for Broncos
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks to his team during a game against the Houston Texans.
Payton and the Broncos are 8-2, atop the AFC West standings, and tied for the best record in the NFL heading into the Chiefs game. The head coach met with the media on Wednesday, and he spoke highly about the team’s ability to emerge victorious in tight contests.
The Broncos are 6-2 in one-score games this season, and their two losses came in Weeks 2 and 3, against the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers, respectively.
However, presented with a question regarding the Broncos’ slow starts, Payton was frank.
“It’s our jobs to, offensively, put ourselves in a position of starting faster. And when I discussed this after the game, there aren’t many times when a game’s over – when you win, even – where you’re fully satisfied. There’s something bugging you. There’s something. And certainly, getting that balance and the time of possession, also to help our defense. And so, I like that this year we’re doing better in these one-score games,” Payton said.
“I think you gained some confidence. And if you tried to pick when did that turn, you might look at Philly. But to go where we want to go, there has to be improvement. And certainly we understand that.”
The Broncos enter this game riding a seven-game win streak. The Chiefs lost in their last outing against the Buffalo Bills before their bye in Week 10.
It took one boneheaded mistake for Giants to regret keeping Joe Schoen
When the New York Giants fired Brian Daboll after Sunday's 24-20 loss against the Chicago Bears, there was a collective sigh of relief. No one wished he had lost his job, but when you choose to coach in the NFL and don't do it well, there are consequences.
Immediately after the news broke, fans held their breath for the other shoe to drop — what did this mean for general manager Joe Schoen? After putting the team in such a clearly successful position over the last four years — sarcasm intended — the Giants decided to keep him. Because their organizational decision-making process is flawed.
It took less than 48 hours to feel the impact of keeping the 46-year-old in the pilot’s seat. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Denver Broncos have stolen practice squad wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey on Wednesday afternoon from right under Big Blue's nose:
Source: Broncos are signing WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey off the Giants’ practice squad. Humphrey now is returning to Denver, and he is likely to play Sunday vs. the Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/mXk99OYMb4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 12, 2025
Wait, but what does this have to do with Schoen? I'm glad you asked. You see, with Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo out, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart was forced to unnecessarily shoulder the offensive load due to the lack of playmakers.
So, in his all-knowing knowledge and wisdom, Schoen continues to insist on wasting a roster spot on third-year receiver bust Jalin Hyatt, while allowing other teams the opportunity to poach players who could actually help make a difference. Talk about classic Joe Schoen.
Joe Schoen’s roster misfires continue to hurt the Giants
Humphrey had maxed out his three practice squad elevations with the G-Men, all but guaranteeing a fresh start elsewhere. Still, it's frustrating for sure. He shouldn't even be down on the Junior Varsity team in the first place.
Related: Viral clip just crushed Joe Schoen’s clean-hands act after Brian Daboll firing
He’s clearly ahead of Hyatt and undrafted rookie Beau Collins, but Schoen’s roster-building took the wheel again.
Neither Hyatt nor Humphrey is necessarily going to save the Giants' lost season. That much is known. However, Dart and Humphrey have shown a clear connection — even if the wideout has only seen the field in three games. Just look at his four-catch, 55-yard game against the Eagles in Week 8.
Meanwhile, in six games, Hyatt has an astounding three receptions for 17 yards, and should have been off the team at the trade deadline.
This is the guy ownership wants to keep? The guy who's too afraid and ego-hurt to admit that Hyatt is a failed pick — a guy he traded up for in the 2023 Draft, by the way.
He's literally wasting roster spots on guys who don't even see the field. Hyatt is one of them, so is Evan Neal (another failed Schoen pick). His job is to put forth the most competitive roster for the coaching staff to give them a fighting chance on Sundays, and this was clear evidence he stinks at doing exactly that. Instant regret.
